大般涅槃經義記 1.23

1.23

Question: Ānanda is a sage who has attained the principle; for what reason does he speak of 'I' identically with ordinary beings? The explanation says: although Ānanda speaks of 'I', it is not the same as ordinary beings. How is it not the same? There are three ways of speaking of 'I': first, speaking of 'I' with a view-bound mind—this refers to ordinary beings whose self-view has not yet perished, declaring that there is an 'I' within this mind; second, speaking of 'I' with an arrogant mind—this refers to trainees whose self-view has perished but whose self-pride still remains, declaring that there is an 'I' within this mind; third, the worldly conventional 'I'—this refers to those beyond training whose views and pride have already been eliminated, who follow worldly convention in declaring that there is an 'I'. At the time of collecting the Dharma, Ānanda's status was that of one beyond training; his views and pride had already been eliminated, and he spoke of 'I' in accordance with worldly convention. Therefore, it is not the same.