大般涅槃經義記 7.5

7.5

The preceding was the first part, King of Virtue raising objections. Below, the Buddha praises him. 'Excellent!' is the general praise; from 'You now' downward is the specific praise. Within the specific there are two: first, praising what he has understood; second, praising whom he is equal to. Regarding what he has understood: 'You know all dharmas are like an illusion, a mirage,' and so forth, praises his understanding of emptiness; 'traces of drawing on water,' and so forth, praises his understanding of impermanence; 'like foam,' and so forth, praises his understanding of non-self; 'without suffering or pleasure,' and so forth, praises his understanding of suffering. Lack of pleasure is the characteristic of suffering; lack of suffering is the reality of suffering. Therefore the sūtra states: 'Penetrating the five aggregates thoroughly to be empty without arising is the meaning of suffering.' Question: King of Virtue previously raised objections against the Buddha regarding the meanings of hearing and not hearing; why does the Tathāgata praise his knowing illusions and the like? Answer: Because King of Virtue previously knew that dharmas are unreal and illusory, impermanent with arising and ceasing, and that through investigating the three periods of time there is no meaning of hearing at all, [the Buddha] gives this praise.