大般涅槃經義記 3.47

3.47

自下第二出所教人，迦葉先問。於中初就上人設難，上品之人自能降魔，近於涅槃，不假四依，如來不應教其撿驗；「如是四人所可言」下就下人設難，下品之人不能撿驗四依，所說未必可信，如來不應勸依四人。前中「如佛為瞿師說」舉佛昔事，「若能如是降伏魔者」重復牒之，「亦可得近大涅槃」者明能自知。瞿師是其須陀洹人，望大涅槃，定能趣向，以之為近；以理測尋，未敢專決，故云亦可。「如來何必說是四人為依處」者明不假依，良以此人自能降伏，近涅槃故；如來未必宣說四人以為依處，不說在佛，未敢自決，故名何必。就彼下人設難之中，文少不足。若具，應言「凡夫之人不能撿驗四人所說未必可信，云何如來勸人依止？」下佛答之，先述其言「如我所說，非為不爾」；下出所教，但教聲聞、緣覺降魔，不教菩薩。何等聲聞、緣覺須教？從初發意乃至無學。

From here below, the second part sets forth the persons instructed. Kāśyapa asks first. Herein, he first poses a difficulty regarding superior persons: persons of superior grade can themselves subjugate Māra and are close to nirvāṇa, having no need for the four reliances; the Tathāgata should not instruct them to test and verify. From 'What can be said by such four persons...' below, he poses a difficulty regarding inferior persons: persons of inferior grade cannot test and verify the four reliances, and what is expounded might not be credible; the Tathāgata should not exhort reliance on the four persons. In the former, 'As the Buddha spoke for Ghoṣila' adduces the Buddha's past event. 'If one can subjugate Māra like this' repeats the citation. 'May also be near to Mahānirvāṇa' clarifies that one can know for oneself. Ghoṣila was a srotāpanna; looking toward Mahānirvāṇa, he could definitely proceed toward it, which is considered being near; inferring through principle, he did not dare to determine it exclusively, hence saying 'may also.' 'Why must the Tathāgata speak of these four persons as places of reliance?' clarifies not needing reliance; precisely because this person can himself subjugate [Māra] and is near to nirvāṇa, the Tathāgata does not necessarily proclaim the four persons as places of reliance; not speaking of it lies with the Buddha, and he did not dare to determine it himself, hence saying 'why must.' In posing the difficulty regarding those inferior persons, the text is brief and incomplete. If complete, it should say: 'Ordinary persons cannot test and verify, and what is expounded by the four persons might not be credible; why does the Tathāgata exhort people to rely upon them?' Below, the Buddha answers him, first reciting his words: 'As I have spoken, it is not that it is not so.' Below, he sets forth those who are instructed: he only instructs śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas to subjugate Māra, not instructing bodhisattvas. What kinds of śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas must be instructed? From the first arousal of the thought [of awakening] up to the stage of non-learning (aśaikṣa).