大般涅槃經義記 7.28

7.28

From here below is the fourth part, properly explaining in accordance with the questions. First, it explains the meaning of hearing and not hearing; afterward, it arrays categories by way of arising in order to make it clear. In the former part, there are four clauses; what is their distinction? In accordance with the explanation below, there are two kinds of dharmas: first, the hearable dharmas of birth and death; second, the dharmas of nirvāṇa that are beyond hearing. Persons are also of two kinds: first, ordinary people; second, noble ones. Taking the ordinary and the noble paired against that nirvāṇa constitutes the first two clauses: noble ones being capable of listening to and receiving the unhearable dharmas of nirvāṇa is called "hearing the unheard"; ordinary people being unable to listen to and receive the unhearable dharmas of nirvāṇa is called "not hearing the unheard." Taking the ordinary and the noble paired against that birth and death constitutes the latter two clauses: noble ones no longer taking in and receiving the hearable dharmas of birth and death is called "not hearing what is heard"; ordinary people ceaselessly taking in and receiving the hearable dharmas of birth and death is therefore called "hearing what is heard." Among the four, the first clause directly answers the previous question; the second exists to present the ordinary and reveal the noble; and the third and fourth exist to present the defiled and reveal the pure. As for the categories that follow, first arising and then arriving each have four clauses, which the text below explains itself.