大般涅槃經集解 65.56

65.56

Sengliang comments: There being sentient beings has the five aggregates, called the sentient being aggregates, which are conditioned (saṃskṛta). Two refers to cause and effect. Three refers to the three realms. Four refers to the four modes of birth. Five refers to the five paths. Six refers to the six destinies. Seven refers to the seven stations of consciousness. Eight refers to the eight births of spirits—or, some say these are the eight dhyānas, yet this does not encompass existence and would seem not to include humans. Nine refers to the nine abodes of sentient beings. Failing to grasp the Buddha's intent and not understanding the broad and the concise, people rigidly take five or six as definitive. Sengzong says: This is the fifteenth dispute. The Buddha's expounding from one realm of existence up to twenty-five are all pedagogical adaptations responding to circumstances.