大般涅槃經集解 62.26

62.26

Sengzong comments: "Below this is the seventh [section] on cultivating the path. Previously, because [sentient beings] possess the nature, he encouraged cultivation. This says that as the practitioner's karma of practice becomes progressively deeper, they no longer retrogress; if one cannot deeply understand the sūtra's purport, there is retrogression. Such ascetic practices mostly occur prior to the dwellings. If one even does unprofitable things on account of practicing according to the sūtra, how much more so for what is beneficial—would one not do it? This makes clear that when people cultivate practice in accordance with the sūtra and attain its flavor of principle, they never retrogress." Baoliang says: "Below this is the seventh [section] on cultivating the path, directly setting forth the marks of a person cultivating the path. Although he encouraged them to cultivate the path above, all the people were completely unaware of the method of cultivating the path; the Buddha now briefly reveals its marks: if one can perform such austerities, that is it."