大般涅槃經義記 2.189

2.189

In the first objection, "if there are men or women" hypothetically introduces the questioner; from "make such a statement" downward hypothetically introduces the text of the objection; "the Tathāgata is impermanent" is the general objection. From "how is it known?" downward, it extensively reveals impermanence, first asking and then discerning. In the discerning there are five: the first point cites the Buddha's former teaching on cessation with remainder to challenge the Buddha with impermanence; the second point cites the Buddha's former teaching on cessation without remainder to challenge the Buddha with impermanence; the next two points reiterate the former cessation with remainder to challenge the Buddha with impermanence; the last point cites both cessations—with remainder and without remainder—to challenge the Buddha with impermanence. In the first, it first cites the Tathāgata's former words, wherein first is the dharma, next the simile, and then the application; from "how so?" downward, it concludes the objection based on this, challenging and asserting impermanence.