大般涅槃經義記 3.248

3.248

悟中，初先正明其悟，後明悟得。悟中，「若知如來常住，無有變易」，是其眼見，「或聞常住二字音聲」是其聞見。常是法常，住是報常。就明得中，初先正辯，「我於本」下引己為證。前中，初言「若一經耳即生天上」離三塗苦，「後解脫」下離人天苦。後解脫時乃能證知如來常住，從始趣終，「既證」已下據終尋始。引己證中，「我於本際以不知故輪轉生死」反舉迷失，「始於今」下翻之顯得，文少不足，若具，應言始於今日乃得真智，以真智故出離生死。上明迷悟，下明損益。「若如是知真是修苦，多所利益」明前悟益，見苦實性名真修苦，「若不知」下彰前迷損。

Regarding awakening: first, it directly clarifies the awakening; afterwards, it clarifies what is attained through awakening. Regarding the awakening: 'If one knows that the Tathāgata is permanently abiding and without alteration' is seeing with the eye; 'or hears the sound of the two characters "permanently abiding"' is seeing through hearing. 'Permanent' is the permanence of the Dharma; 'abiding' is the permanence of retribution. Regarding the explanation of what is attained: first, it directly analyzes it; from 'I, in the past...' below, [the Buddha] cites himself as proof. In the former part: first, it says that 'if it once passes through one's ear, one is immediately born in heaven,' which is freedom from the suffering of the three wretched realms; from 'later, upon liberation...' below, it is freedom from the suffering of humans and devas. At the time of later liberation, one is then able to realize and know that the Tathāgata is permanently abiding; proceeding from the beginning toward the end. From 'having realized...' below, it traces the beginning on the basis of the end. In citing himself as proof: 'I, at the beginning, because of not knowing, transmigrated through birth and death' conversely adduces the delusion and error; from 'only today...' below, he reverses this to reveal the attainment. The text is slightly deficient; if fully stated, it should say: 'Only today have I attained true wisdom, and by means of true wisdom, have escaped birth and death.' Above, delusion and awakening were clarified; below, harm and benefit are clarified. 'If one knows thus, this is truly cultivating [the truth of] suffering, and brings great benefit' clarifies the benefit of the aforementioned awakening; seeing the true nature of suffering is called 'truly cultivating [the truth of] suffering.' From 'If one does not know...' below, it reveals the harm of the aforementioned delusion.