大般涅槃經義記 10.26

10.26

In the extensive explanation, Kāśyapa first initiates questions, and the Tathāgata then answers. From "Kāśyapa said to the Buddha: Having first attained the path, he is called a srotāpanna..." onward, questions and answers re-elucidate difficult points in the preceding meaning. In the former part, Kāśyapa raises four questions in full: First, he asks about how many defilements the srotāpanna severs. "Just as the Buddha previously said, what is severed by the srotāpanna is like water forty li in breadth and length, while what remains is like a single drop": this adduces the Buddha's former words. "Why does it say here that he severs three fetters?": this adduces the greater to challenge the lesser. The Tathāgata previously stated in the "Chapter on Manifesting Illness" that severing the three fetters yields the srotāpanna; hence he now challenges it. Below, three names are listed. "Regarding what is not a cause as a cause" is the attachment to rules and vows. The crow and chicken vows and the like are not the true causes of cessation, yet one falsely considers them to be causes; therefore it is called regarding what is not a cause as a cause. The other two can be understood. Second, he asks about the meaning of the srotāpanna's universal observation of the directions. Third, he asks about the name: "Due to what causes and conditions is he called a srotāpanna?" Fourth, he asks about the meaning of the metaphor of the srotāpanna as a makara fish. Below, the Buddha explains them in sequence according to the questions.