大般涅槃經集解 7.96

7.96

Daosheng comments: Achieving Buddhahood lasted forty-eight years in total. Bending one's pride for a single day makes one a disciple for a lifetime. Sengliang says: He required that he be a disciple for his entire life. Fayao says: From the night of attaining the Way to the night of nirvāṇa, the interval was forty-eight years in all. At that time, of the six masters, not one was subdued and transformed; they contested debates and vied with the Buddha. The relationship of master and disciple had not been severed; accommodating his intentions and waiting for the right moment is compared to running errands and serving. Another explanation of the forty-eight years refers to the four dhyānas and the eight dhyānas.