大般涅槃經集解 52.4

52.4

Sengliang comments: There are nine dharmas in total, the sequence by which śrāvakas seek buddhahood. The first four dharmas pertain to fragmentary causes and effects, the middle three dharmas pertain to the practice of the Great Vehicle, and the final two dharmas accomplish the affairs of buddhahood. / Baoliang comments: The nine matters are explained in sequence in the text below. The five aggregates are the result and the five views are the cause; because the cause is severed, it says severing the aggregates. / Baoliang comments: The name 'merit' is a designation of praise. And the eighth merit takes the nine collections of dharmas as its substance; it is what initial learners practice and the essential path supporting nirvāṇa. The nine collections broadly discussed do not exceed two intentions: the first two collections clarify what is abandoned; the latter seven collections discuss what is attained. What is abandoned refers to eliminating the five aggregates and the five views. If one describes what is attained, there are seven collections. Within the seven collections, it also does not go beyond one's own practice and transforming others. Therefore, the single matter of guarding and the four immeasurables together serve to benefit beings. Yet these two matters are praised primarily for vast salvation and are classified under transforming others; the remaining five collections, such as the six recollections, are all named based on personal virtue.