大般涅槃經義記 6.3

6.3

Below, he reveals it specifically, wherein there is first the doctrine, next a simile, and then the application. In the doctrine: "abiding in emptiness, one does not see father..." and so forth is the emptiness of sentient beings; "not seeing the aggregates..." and so forth is the emptiness of dharmas; "sentient beings, life span..." again clarifies the emptiness of sentient beings. How does it differ from the former? The former is free from the nature of sentient beings, attained prior to the emptiness of dharmas; this is free from the mark of sentient beings, attained after the emptiness of dharmas. Relying on what dharmas constitute, the nominal sentient being is also non-existent. The text of the simile can be known. In the application: "All dharmas are also like this: there are no parents, up to life span" applies it in terms of dharmas, clarifying the meaning of their emptiness; "the bodhisattva" sees below, applying it in terms of the person, clarifying the attainment of the ground of emptiness.