大般涅槃經義記 8.186

8.186

「以是義」下舉偈證成。先標說處、下列偈文。前之半偈自立道理，明惑與性兩法不並。下之半偈遮他異說，明惑與性有無非恒。下釋偈文，顯成當有現無之義。於中，初言「有者三種」汎舉有義，次列三名，下就人辯。辯中有三：一約三世明有不同；二「以是義」下，舉說證成一切有性；三「乃至」下，別釋罪人有佛性義。初中，先明未來世有，該通上下。「一切眾生未來皆當定得菩提」故悉有性。次明現有，唯論下人。下人現在唯有煩惱，是故現在無其相好果德佛性。下明過有，偏論上人。上人過去有斷煩惱，是故現在得見佛性。雖舉三世，為就前二明諸眾生當有現無。

From 'For this reason' onward cites a verse to verify and substantiate it. First it indicates the context of the utterance, and next it lists the verse text. The first half of the verse establishes the principle on its own, clarifying that the two dharmas of affliction and the nature cannot coexist. The second half of the verse refutes the divergent views of others, clarifying that the existence and non-existence of affliction and the nature are not constant. Below, it explains the verse text, establishing the meaning of future existence and present absence. Therein, 'There are three kinds of existence' first generally introduces the meaning of existence, next lists three names, and below analyzes them in terms of persons. Within this analysis there are three points: 1. Clarifying the differences in existence according to the three periods of time; 2. From 'For this reason' onward, citing the teaching to verify that all possess the nature; 3. From 'Even' onward, specifically explaining the meaning of transgressive persons possessing buddha-nature. In the first point, it first explains existence in the future period, which pervades throughout both higher and lower: 'All sentient beings in the future will all definitely attain bodhi,' and therefore all possess the nature. Next it explains present existence, discussing only the lower persons: lower persons presently have only afflictions, and therefore presently lack the marks, secondary signs, and fruit virtues of buddha-nature. Next it explains past existence, discussing solely the higher persons: higher persons have in the past severed afflictions, and therefore presently attain the sight of buddha-nature. Although the three periods are cited, it is with regard to the first two that sentient beings' future existence and present absence are clarified.