大般涅槃經義記 9.104

9.104

下次釋去下人上難。釋之如何？向前難言：一闡提等有佛性故定得菩提，如彼磁石性能吸鐵，何用修道。佛今答之，彰彼磁石自不吸鐵、得緣方吸，佛性亦爾故須修道。文中先解磁石之喻，次約顯性。「無明不能吸諸行」下，轉喻顯成。前中，初先正明磁石自不吸鐵，得緣方吸；「如猛火」下，立喻助顯；下復合之。初中有二：一明磁石自不吸鐵；二「異法」下，彰彼磁石得緣方吸。就初段中，「汝言如石，是義不然」牒以直非。此言略少，若具應云汝言佛性如彼磁石自能吸鐵，是義不然。「何以故」下，釋以顯非。先自徵責，我以何故噵汝不然。下對釋之。「石不吸鐵」，為是言非。「者何」以下，釋顯不吸。先為徵問：熟見吸鐵？所以言不。故下釋之。石無心業欲吸彼鐵，為是言不。

Next is the explanation that refutes the lower person's objection to the superior [doctrine]. How is it explained? Earlier, the objection was: "Because icchantikas and the like have the buddha-nature, they are certain to attain bodhi, just as a lodestone's nature is able to attract iron; what use is there in practicing the path?" The Buddha now replies to this, illustrating that the lodestone does not attract iron on its own, but attracts only upon meeting conditions; the buddha-nature is also like this, so one must practice the path. In the text, first the analogy of the lodestone is explained, and next the nature is illuminated in reference to it. From "Avidyā cannot attract the saṃskāras" downward, the analogy is redirected to establish the point. Within the former, first it directly clarifies that the lodestone does not attract iron on its own, but attracts only upon meeting conditions; from "Just as fierce fire" downward, an analogy is established to help illustrate it; below, it is applied once again. Within the first part there are two: first, clarifying that the lodestone does not attract iron on its own; second, from "other dharmas" downward, illustrating that the lodestone attracts only upon meeting conditions. In the first section, "Your statement that it is like a stone—this meaning is incorrect" takes up the assertion to directly negate it. These words are abbreviated; if complete, it should say: "Your statement that the buddha-nature is like that lodestone, being able on its own to attract iron—this meaning is incorrect." From "Why?" downward, it explains in order to reveal the error. First it queries itself: for what reason do I say you are incorrect? Below, it responds and explains it. "The stone does not attract iron" is the reason it is said to be incorrect. From "What [person has seen it]?" downward, it explains and shows that it does not attract. First a query is posed: who has seen it attract iron? For this reason it says it does not. Therefore below it explains: the stone has no mental volition desiring to attract that iron, which is why it says it does not.