大般涅槃經義記 3.31

3.31

Up to this point in the chapter "Long Life," the essence of practice has been clarified; from here down, the second part analyzes the basis of practice. Within this, it first correctly clarifies the basis, and below speaks of the correct and erroneous to stay away from what is not to be relied upon. In the former, it analyzes and clarifies that the bodhisattvas of the four reliances are the persons to be relied upon; this answers the previous [questions], "How does one obtain what is vast to act as a reliance for the assembly?" and "Truly not being an arhat, yet being together with arhats," etc. What was that question? "How does one obtain that person who is vast to act as a reliance for the assembly?"; although not yet identical to the buddhas and arhats, those whose transformative efficacy is identical to those buddhas and arhats are ones I wish to rely upon; therefore, he now answers it, clarifying that there are four persons who can serve as a place of reliance for sentient beings, no different from a buddha, who are worthy of being relied upon.