大般涅槃經義記 8.341

8.341

Next, the aforementioned inconceivability of buddha-nature is broadly treated; there are four questions and answers. Siṃhanāda first asks about the identity or difference of the nature, first proposing two alternatives: "Do sentient beings all share the buddha-nature in common, or does each possess it individually? If they share it in common..." and so forth establishes the difficulty based on the first [alternative]. "If one attains bodhi, all would attain it together" is the difficulty stated doctrinally. From "Like twenty..." downward is the difficulty stated through analogy. From "If the buddha-nature..." downward is the application of the analogy to formulate the difficulty. "If each individually..." and so forth establishes the difficulty based on the latter [alternative]. "If each possesses it individually, then it is impermanent" correctly challenges it through reason. The explanation below beginning with "Why?": because it could be counted. From "Yet the Buddha said..." downward, he cites the past to interrogate the present: the Buddha previously said that the nature is neither one nor two; how could each possess it individually? From "If each individually..." downward, he uses the present to interrogate the past: if the Buddha now says that each has it distinctly, why did he previously say that all buddhas are equal and that buddha-nature is like empty space? Below, the Buddha answers him. First is the doctrinal statement: "The nature is neither one nor two" briefly establishes his thesis. "Buddha-nature is like empty space and shared in common by all" clarifies that it is non-dual. "The equality of the buddhas" corresponds to the earlier "all buddhas are equal"; "like empty space" corresponds to the earlier "buddha-nature is like empty space." "If one cultivates, one sees it" clarifies that it is not one. Next, it is illustrated with an analogy. "The grass named Forbearance" is an analogy for the aforementioned common sharing. From "If a cow eats it..." downward is an analogy for seeing it upon cultivation. The application below can be understood.