大般涅槃經義記 8.144

8.144

第二段中，三番辯中，一通就理行以辯中道、二「生死本際凡有二」下偏就十二因緣之理以說中道、三「眾生起見凡有二」下偏就十二因緣觀行以顯中道，是中舉行為約顯理。就初段中，「道有三種」略以標舉。次列三名，正辯中道，餘二顯之。此上、中、下異於餘處，餘處所辯下法為下、中法為中、上法為上。今此所論下劣之法名上、名下：據此下法向上望之，有上可趣，名為上道；向下望之下有三塗可以趣向，說名下道。勝上之法說以為中，據此勝法向上望之，無上可趣，不名上道；向下望之，不退趣入凡夫心中，不名下道；不上不下故說為中。下釋其相。

In the second section, the middle is differentiated in three turns: first, generally with respect to principle and practice to differentiate the middle way; second, from "the fundamental limits of saṃsāra are generally two" onward, specifically with respect to the principle of the twelve links of dependent origination to speak of the middle way; third, from "the views that sentient beings give rise to are generally two" onward, specifically with respect to the contemplative practice of the twelve links of dependent origination to reveal the middle way. Here, practice is raised to define and reveal principle. In the first section, "there are three kinds of ways" briefly marks and raises it. Next it lists the three terms, directly differentiating the middle way, with the other two revealing it. Here, superior, middle, and inferior differ from other places: elsewhere, an inferior dharma is differentiated as inferior, a middle dharma as middle, and a superior dharma as superior. What is discussed here, however, is that inferior dharmas are called superior and called inferior: based on this inferior dharma, looking upward toward it, there is something superior that can be approached, so it is called the superior way; looking downward toward it, below are the three wretched realms that can be approached, so it is called the inferior way. The preeminent, superior dharma is spoken of as the middle: based on this preeminent dharma, looking upward, there is nothing superior that can be approached, so it is not called the superior way; looking downward, one does not regress to enter into the minds of ordinary beings, so it is not called the inferior way; being neither superior nor inferior, it is therefore spoken of as the middle. Below, its characteristics are explained.