大般涅槃經義記 7.374

7.374

次釋初難，答意云何？明己先來斷煩惱處已是涅槃，為益眾生未息化迹，故昔告魔未入涅槃。文中初言「何緣我昔尼連告魔」自問起發，下自解釋，明己欲為七種善人宣說法要，故不許滅，所為無量且舉斯耳。

Next is the explanation of the first challenge. What is the intended meaning of the reply? It clarifies that the locus where he previously severed the afflictions was already nirvāṇa, but in order to benefit sentient beings he had not yet ceased his traces of transformation; therefore, he formerly told the Māra that he had not entered nirvāṇa. In the text, it first begins with the self-posed question, 'For what reason did I formerly tell the Māra at the Nairañjanā River?'; below, he explains it himself, clarifying that because he wished to proclaim the essentials of the Dharma for seven kinds of good persons, he did not assent to extinction; those whom he acted for being immeasurable, he merely adduces these.