大般涅槃經義記 1.25

1.25

From 'at one time' downward, although the meaning encompasses both, in contrast to the previous preface of verification of faith, it is now explained solely in terms of initiation. Therein, first the place is clarified in relation to the Buddha; from 'together with the great' downward, the assembly is clarified in relation to the Buddha; the time applies to both. Within the former there are three: first, clarifying the time of transformation; second, clarifying the lord of transformation; third, clarifying the place of transformation. As for 'at one time', it is the time of transformation. In explaining this time, first the differing theories are recounted, next the faults are analyzed, and finally the correct meaning is revealed. As for the differing theories, it was traditionally transmitted in the past that the time of the Buddha's preaching and the time of Ānanda's hearing had no before and after; this excludes transmission errors and establishes the 'have I heard' above, hence it is called 'at one time'. Such are the differing theories. What is the analysis of their faults? First, it is examined through facts; next, it is verified through text. As for examining it through facts: Ānanda was born on the night the Buddha attained the Way. After the Buddha attained the Way, past six [periods of] seven days, he immediately preached sūtras. If relying on the Mahāyāna, past two [periods of] seven days the Buddha immediately preached sūtras. Ānanda at that time was still an infant in arms and did not personally participate in the assembly. Only after twenty years did he first leave the household, and only after thirty years did he become the attendant. Most of the sūtras preached before this were not heard by him in person. Although he did not hear them in person, the sūtras he collected all say 'at one time'; thus we know with certainty that 'at one time' is not a term distinguishing transmission [from direct hearing]. Furthermore, in the Hīnayāna, one cannot say that Ānanda was an expedient manifestation; by what means could one say that preaching and listening occurred at one time? Deductively testing by this, we know for certain that this is merely human opinion and cannot be lightly relied upon.