大般涅槃經義記 7.85

7.85

下佛答之，前七難中但答五問，第五、第七略而不答。答初難中答意如何？明諸眾生因斷煩惱始見涅槃，而彼涅槃本有非今，故得為常。文中，初法，次喻，後合。

Below, the Buddha answers them. Among the preceding seven objections, he only answers five questions, omitting the fifth and seventh without answering. In the answer to the first objection, what is the intent of the reply? It clarifies that sentient beings, through severing defilements, begin to see nirvāṇa, yet that nirvāṇa is originally existent and not newly arisen; therefore it can be permanent. In the text, there is first the dharma, next the analogy, and finally the application.