大般涅槃經集解 45.9

45.9

Sengliang states: "The first and second meritorious virtues correspond to the noble practice. The first explains the superknowledge of the exhaustion of outflows. These five matters are the matters of severing outflows. From buddhadhātu to nirvāṇa, there are five matters: the first is that the four fruits all preach the permanent dharma, which was unheard in the past and is now heard. This delineates the cause." Sengzong states: "Having previously listed the numbers, now it clarifies that this Dharma is wondrously beyond ordinary standards; the matter appears in the 'Adamantine Body Chapter'." Baoliang states: "This is the first matter. In the past, capacities and faculties were not yet mature, which was why they were not yet able to hear; today, capacities and conditions having already been stimulated, they resonate when stirred by sound. Thus, previously, due to the lack of resonance, they did not hear; now, by virtue of resonance, they hear. Although hearing relies on verbal teaching, that hearing is without anything heard; therefore, it is called hearing what was never heard. Although the principle is like this, naturally there are those who from not hearing obtain not hearing, and from hearing obtain not hearing. The second matter speaks of hearing the Dharma and attaining understanding. The third matter discusses having something eliminated after attaining understanding. The fourth matter clarifies that the inner understanding of the mind is resolute. The fifth matter presents the cognitive sphere of what is understood, knowing the principle from this sūtra. However, in the text's explanation of the first matter, there are two layers: first, from 'the so-called extremely profound, subtle and secret meaning of nirvāṇa' downward, it directly lists the essence of the unheard Dharma, which means the permanence, bliss, self, and purity of mahānirvāṇa. Tracing this purport, one therefore knows that the name 'meritorious virtue' is based on the terms for the fruit. It clarifies that such an excellent fruit cannot be exhausted by the hundred negations; this is hearing what was unheard in the past. Second, from 'there is further the unheard, meaning non-Buddhist scriptures' downward, it lists the unheard. Here, based on false teachings, it clarifies that scriptures such as these completely lack such profound and secret meanings, which is also known by means of this sūtra."