大般涅槃經義記 3.33

3.33

In the second section, it first lists the four persons. 'What are' raises the question; 'there is a person who appears in the world possessing the nature of afflictions,' etc., distinguishes and lists their designations. The meaning of the four reliances is extensive, as in the separate chapter; now I shall briefly explain the terms. 'There is a person who appears in the world possessing the nature of afflictions is named the first' refers to a person on the stages of lineage, understanding, and practice. The *Benevolent Kings Sūtra* states that from the lineage onward one can be a Dharma master, and prior to that one is not yet able; thus we know this is not prior to the lineage. The subsequent text proclaims that only by having made offerings to Buddhas [equal to the sands of] five Gaṅgās does one become competent to be a reliance; therefore it is not the [mere] stage of favorable destinies. The text states that possessing the nature of afflictions means this is not the eighth person, making clear that it is not on the bhūmis. Appearing after the Tathāgata's extinction to manifest transformations and benefit beings is called 'appearing in the world'; not having exclusively eliminated any among the afflictions of the five entrenchments is called 'possessing afflictions.'