大般涅槃經集解 64.46

64.46

Sengliang comments: Beginners do not yet possess true knowledge and vision; they are nominal bodhisattvas who have not mastered the method of upāya, deeming the sixteen-foot [body] to be the true one. If they heard it is anitya, they would generate a mind of regress. For their sake, it was taught that the sixteen-foot [body] has no change or mutation. Sengzong comments: 'Nominal bodhisattvas' refers to ordinary persons who merely receive this name; hence they give rise to attachment and are not noble ones. For the sake of these nominal bodhisattvas, it is said that the Tathāgata is permanently abiding and unchanging. There are ordinary persons who do not understand and say that he ultimately undergoes no mutation and never enters nirvāṇa, thereby violating the responsive extinction; thus dispute arose. Baoliang comments: The Buddha proclaimed his entry into nirvāṇa in order to cause those who ought to hear the profound Dharma to come quickly; hence this teaching was given. 'Not ultimately [entering nirvāṇa]' was spoken for those progressing in learning to enter the five faculties headed by faith; hence permanence was proclaimed. If one wishes to conclude the errors of the two camps: for those who hear of the entry into nirvāṇa, it is treated like reducing the body to ashes; for those who hear that it is not ultimate, they say the Buddha is permanently like the phenomenal image. However, sought through the Middle Path meaning, proclaiming entry is upāya and not ultimate, while saying he enters means being serene and markless. Zhixiu comments: Pointing out the persons who attain benefit upon hearing the method of upāya.