大般涅槃經集解 47.28

47.28

Sengliang comments: Regarding 'explaining the characteristics of sentient beings,' [the Buddha] himself states that he is a lion among men. Regarding 'the distinct and diverse characteristics of all phenomena,' it is like the eye not smelling fragrances and the ear not seeing forms; the Buddhas are not like this. Regarding 'having only a single characteristic,' this may be designated by means of the dharmakāya, and cannot be differentiated by the six sense faculties. The 'Vajrakāya Chapter' states, 'excluding the characteristic of a single phenomenon,' meaning that he cannot be named by the single characteristic of humans or devas. Regarding 'the dharmadhātu of the Tathāgata,' this is the dharmatā of the Tathāgata. Regarding 'having long since transcended all characteristics,' the above clarified the thirty-two marks, while the below clarifies that the Tathāgata has long transcended this matter. Regarding 'skillfully knowing all characteristics,' in accordance with the characteristics that sentient beings ought to see, he skillfully knows how to respond to them. Regarding 'because of having the characteristic of space,' space has no distinctions; the Tathāgata is not like [ordinary entities].