大般涅槃經集解 32.32

32.32

Daosheng notes: "The principle is as discussed: single without a second. Through skillful means, in accord with convention, they are spoken of as two." Sengliang says: "Dharmas are without names or marks, and the path of speech is cut off. How could the names of the two truths be shown to sentient beings? Skillful means merely adopt the two designations of ultimate and conventional to entice and guide the foolish and shortsighted; it does not mean that the principle is twofold." Sengzong says: "If discussed in terms of the meaning of unobtainability, then there are not two. If there is that which is obtainable and provisionally applied, then the two names arise. Thus the arising of the two names is established in relation to the sentiments of beings. Below there are six layers of explanation: first, understanding contrasted with delusion; second, the unreal contrasted with the real; third, existence contrasted with non-existence, which is what Mañjuśrī asked; fourth, the provisional contrasted with the real; fifth, the conditioned contrasted with the unconditioned; sixth, the proximate contrasted with the distant." Baoliang says: "The skillful one can speak of existence that is non-existence and non-existence that is not non-existence, thereby establishing two names to guide beings. However, since understanding and awakening differ, six layers are opened below to further distinguish its purport. Below is the first, distinguishing the two truths with respect to the two persons—ordinary and noble—clarifying that there is the existence of provisional existence, but no real existence can be found. Non-existence is the non-existence of causes and conditions; neither can non-existence be found. Those who understand in accord with these two principles are supramundane persons, termed the ultimate. If spoken of by worldly persons, when they say 'existence', they mean essential existence; when they say 'non-existence', they take it to be annihilation. Thus existence and non-existence are false and erroneous, neither according with the principle; hence for such persons all are termed conventional truth."