大般涅槃經集解 41.50

41.50

Sengliang comments: The sūtra appears in order to extinguish grave evils. If evil does not cease, the sūtra is said to be hidden. Because the sūtra is hidden, all dharmas perish.
Baoliang comments: Explaining why it was not made manifest, it is like the external simile of storing the seven treasures, which requires four conditions before they are brought out for use: first, when grain is expensive; second, as a reward when bandits arrive; third, to ransom one's life when encountering an evil king; fourth, to be brought out for use when wealth is difficult to obtain. This clarifies that the Buddha's intention is also like this: just as after expounding the teachings of the four periods, when sentient beings develop the sickness of annihilationism and eternalism, he preaches the Nirvāṇa Sūtra for them so that their minds may obtain the flavor of the Dharma to satisfy themselves, just as food is needed when grain is expensive. Once afflictions arise and manifest in the practice of the path, he preaches the eternal teaching for them, just as wealth is brought out to bestow rewards when bandits arrive. When sentient beings' life of wisdom is not sustained, it is like ransoming one's life when encountering an evil king. Once fetters and karma arise, bringing about the eight sufferings of saṃsāra, he now speaks of the ultimate principle to cause understanding to arise in their minds, which rescues them from saṃsāra. Therefore, when sentient beings develop various sicknesses, the Tathāgata, wishing to extinguish these evils for them, preaches this principle to guide them. Having thus revealed the meaning of the secret treasury, he reproves Kāśyapa's previous challenge and then gives the direct reply. He clarifies that the Dharma of Krakucchanda Buddha remained in the world at that time for seven days before perishing. Why is this? The sentient beings of that pure land had sharp faculties and abundant wisdom, and so within seven days they were completely able to receive and uphold it. After that, they no longer needed these sounds, phrases, and sentences; hence it is said to have perished, whereas the principle is actually constant and indestructible. In this present world, people are foolish and without wisdom, harboring impurity in their minds and failing to realize permanence; therefore, it is necessary to clearly expound and distinguish the principle that is fundamentally permanently abiding. How could it ever perish?