大般涅槃經義記 5.282

5.282

Question: If there are no sentient beings, why does it further speak of granting the bliss of meaning to sentient beings? The explanation has two meanings: First, it clarifies that although the bodhisattva does not see an established nature in sentient beings, it is not that he does not see nominally designated sentient beings, and thus he can give bliss; this meaning corresponds to the meaning of giving bliss within the aforementioned having dharmas as conditions. Second, it clarifies that because the bodhisattva sees the emptiness of dharmas, even nominally designated sentient beings do not exist; using this meaning of emptiness to shatter all dharmas and the marks of sentient beings, when sentient beings hear this, they relinquish marks of existence and realize the emptiness of all dharmas; when they attain emptiness, they depart from the suffering of being hindered by their original marks of existence, and thus one says that the bodhisattva grants sentient beings the bliss of meaning, while in reality he sees no sentient beings to whom it can be granted. This meaning corresponds to the meaning of giving bliss within the subsequent having no conditions. Below, it uses this meaning to analogize the rest—compassion and so forth.