大般涅槃經義記 4.208

4.208

Below is the third part, clarifying the locations of flourishing and decline: This sūtra flourishes widely in South India—first the analogy, then the application—and declines in Jibin. There are four distinct clauses: First, directly clarifying the place of extinction: In Jibin there was a king named Mihirakula, and among those who transmitted the Dharma, the transmitter Bhikṣu Simha died, which caused the Dharma to perish; this is the minor place of extinction, while the major extinction is in Kauśāmbī. Second, clarifying that at the time of extinction people's minds are not the same, there being belief and disbelief. Third, clarifying that when this sūtra is completely extinguished, all other sūtras are extinguished as well. Why is this so? Because in this sūtra the correct and the corrupt are fully distinguished, demonstrating the difference between what the Buddha spoke and what Māra spoke. While this sūtra exists, the corrupt does not confound the correct, and therefore all sūtras are enabled to abide. After this sūtra is extinguished, corrupt teachings will confound the true, and therefore all other sūtras will be extinguished. Fourth, informing the bodhisattvas who have attained the Dharma so that they may know it, wishing to have them propagate and protect it; this is why he informs them.