大般涅槃經義記 6.304

6.304

第三如來觀機喻中，句別有五：初句喻觀現善微劣故言「見使相貌不吉」，劣善不能對治耶病故曰「難治」。「占日」喻觀起行之心，心有善時惡時之別；「占星」喻觀所成使性；「占時」喻觀樂欲之心。下觀福德喻觀生得信等五根，前事雖無，若當生得，善根未斷則可療治，無則叵救，故言「若無，雖吉何益」。

In the third, the analogy of the Tathāgata observing capacities, there are five separate phrases: the first phrase is an analogy for observing the present good to be faint and inferior, hence saying "seeing that the messenger's appearance was inauspicious"; inferior good being unable to counteract perverse illness is hence said to be "difficult to cure." "Divining the day" is an analogy for observing the mind that undertakes practice, for the mind has the distinction of wholesome times and unwholesome times; "divining the stars" is an analogy for observing the nature of the messenger that has been formed; "divining the hour" is an analogy for observing the mind of aspiration. Below, observing merit and virtue is an analogy for observing the innately acquired five faculties, such as faith: though the former conditions are absent, if the innately acquired wholesome roots have not yet been severed, he may still be treated, but if absent, he cannot be saved; hence it says: "If they are absent, even if auspicious, what benefit is there?"