大般涅槃經義記 1.14

1.14

From beginning to end, the text of this sūtra is divided into five sections: first, the introductory section; second, from "Cunda" onward, the section revealing the central theme and demonstrating virtues; third, from the "Three Announcements" onward, the section explaining practice and the accomplishment of virtues; fourth, from "If a person is able to know, he is called a śramaṇa or a brāhmaṇa" onward, the section refuting the heterodox and communicating the correct; fifth, the section on the Tathāgata's extinction-deliverance and jhāpita offerings. This last section did not arrive from the foreign land. Transformation must have an origin, so the introduction is clarified first; once the origin and preface have arisen, it is proper to demonstrate what is to be clarified, so second is the revelation of the central theme and demonstration of virtues; the central theme refers to the perfectly ultimate, wonderful fruit of the buddhas, and the accomplishment of the fruit arises from causes, so third is the explanation of practice and the accomplishment of virtues; once the true Dharma has been disclosed, one desires to propagate and transform continuously with what has been clarified, so fourth is refuting the heterodox and communicating the correct—therefore in the text below heterodox paths are refuted to communicate correct meaning, and the māras are refuted to communicate correct discourse; when transforming is complete, the shadow is withdrawn and returns to quiescence, so fifth the Tathāgata displays extinction, and the great assembly of humans and devas conduct the jhāpita and make offerings.