大般涅槃經義記 3.23

3.23

The preceding section broadly clarified non-analogy; from "The Tathāgata, at times, due to causes and conditions..." downward clarifies how it serves as an analogy. The so-called "at times" refers to causes and conditions of transforming others. Adducing empty space as an analogy for instruction, that which is analogized is the Buddha's virtues, and thus is the Tathāgata. This concludes the first point. From here down, the second explains the reason why non-analogies are taken as analogies. "One of true liberation has nothing surpassing them" explains the previous non-analogy; from "For the sake of transforming sentient beings..." downward explains the previous serving as an analogy; "for the sake of transforming" reveals the aforementioned presence of causes and conditions. From here down, the third point analogously reveals the characteristics of non-analogies taken as analogies: it first cites the type, stating, "A non-analogy is like a peerless thing for which no analogy can be adduced," briefly citing non-analogy; "Because there are causes and conditions, an analogy may be adduced," briefly cites serving as an analogy. From "Just as in the sūtra..." downward, it points to the matter and critiques it. Below, applying this to reveal the Dharma: "One cannot use an analogy to analogize true liberation" clarifies non-analogy; from "For the sake of transforming sentient beings..." downward clarifies serving as an analogy; from "Using various analogies..." downward clarifies that all the aforementioned analogies are non-analogies taken as analogies.