大般涅槃經集解 66.26

66.26

Sengliang comments: The past has already ceased; because it does not exist, it cannot be severed. The future has not yet arrived, so it goes without saying. That severing the causes of the three times is called severing: taking a single present thought of good mind as the cause, it can produce subsequent good. Now, because wrong views obstruct this good mind so that it cannot arise, it is called severing the causes of the three times. Sengzong says: This clarifies severing the goodness of the three times. As for why it is not called severing the fruits of the past: if a past cause has already determined the fruition and retribution will be in a future rebirth, this retribution must certainly be received in the future, so it is not severed. The cause belonging to this very retribution is also fixed and cannot be severed. Because the text is abridged, it only says that fruits are not severed. A past cause bears fruit in the future; the substance of the cause has already perished—how could it be severed? That severing the causes of the three times is called severing the roots of goodness: if goodness exists in the present, it is present goodness. This goodness ought to pass into the past, so it is past goodness. Present goodness continuing into the future is called future goodness. Now, through this body one becomes an icchantika, and evil karma manifests; thus present goodness that ought to arise cannot arise, which is precisely severing present goodness. If this goodness were to arise, it would then pass into the past; because it does not arise, there is nothing that passes away, which is precisely severing past goodness. This continuation of future categories that ought to continue cannot continue, which is precisely severing the future. In terms of meaning, this text is abridged. Why? Present goodness can produce future fruits; now, severing the present so that it does not arise is severing the cause. Since it is called severing the cause, the fruit has nowhere from which to arise; how is this not severing the fruit? It should also be said to sever the fruit, but due to abridgment it only mentions the cause. Baoliang says: The principle of generating goodness is always within the three times. What previously arose in the past cannot in principle be severed. It is merely by reference to the present obstructing the future that it is called severing two times. What is called 'severing causes of the three times' here: if goodness is produced in the present, this goodness then passes into the past and serves as a past cause. The arising of present goodness relies on the cooperative efficacy of previously arisen goodness. The arising of future goodness also takes the present as cause, cause enabling the continuity of categories. Now that the present is severed, good causes within the three times do not arise; therefore it is said to sever causes of the three times.