大般涅槃經義記 8.17

8.17

In the first [bondage], there is first a simile. Within the simile there are four: first, the simile of the differences in dharma positions. "Snow Mountains" broadly illustrates the path of transcending the three realms; "man" illustrates the māras; "monkey" illustrates ordinary beings. "The precipitous and steep places where neither man nor monkey can go" illustrates that neither māras nor other ordinary beings can walk the supramundane path. "Or again, there are places where monkeys can go but man cannot" illustrates that other ordinary beings can reach the upper two realms, but māras cannot arrive there. "Or again, there are places where both can go" illustrates that in the realm of desire, both māras and other ordinary beings are able to go. These are adduced to capture [...] the dwelling place, and in accordance with it, reveal that māras are able to delude ordinary beings.