大般涅槃經集解 26.3

26.3

Sengliang notes: Next he answers 'How do bodhisattvas leave all illness far behind?' Illness was already clarified in the preceding chapter, but freedom from illness was not yet explained; thus the meaning of demonstration was not yet manifest, and this chapter makes it clear. Fayao says: Because the Buddha manifested illness, Kāśyapa was able to extensively reveal the causes of freedom from illness, clarifying that at the bodhisattva stage he had long since departed from illness, so how much more so now? Thus, by means of illness, freedom from illness is revealed. Sengzong says: In what was expounded above, although the fundamental doctrine was raised, it had not yet [reached] subtle actuality. Intending to reveal that the consummate person has completely ended afflictions and encumbrances, he therefore first demonstrated the marks of illness, and through the request he again arose with luminous demeanour to reveal his supremacy, thereby expressing the principle of freedom from illness; this accordingly answers the twenty-ninth question. Zhixiu says: Below this is the second major section of the sūtra, extensively clarifying the principles. It also has two divisions: first, extensively explaining the main exposition; second, extensively explaining the dissemination. Within the extensive main exposition there are three headings: first, extensively explaining the fruit, which is this chapter; second, extensively explaining the cause, which is the five practices; third, extensively explaining buddhadhātu, which is the two chapters 'Lion's Roar' and 'Kāśyapa.'