大般涅槃經義記 8.54

8.54

From 'As you have said, that milk lacks curd' downward, he resolves the sixth objection. He first cites the words of the objection, and below shows in response that it is incorrect. In this, there is first the doctrine, next the metaphor, and afterward the application. In the doctrine, 'Foolish people make such statements' rebukes the heterodox for deviating from the correct; 'the wise never say' distinguishes the correct from the heterodox. 'Why is this?' and so forth explains: 'Because there is no nature [as curd in the milk],' the wise do not speak of it as existing. In the metaphor there are three clauses: First, from 'Without conditions' downward proves that curd is fundamentally absent; second, from 'Like water and milk' downward proves that under different conditions it does not come forth, proving that curd is fundamentally absent; third, from 'Seeking everywhere' downward proves that only upon obtaining conditions does it come forth, proving that curd is fundamentally absent. Below, the application reveals the Dharma: 'The buddha-nature is like this' corresponds to the nature of milk and curd being visible dependent on conditions; 'attainable dependent on conditions' corresponds to immediately becoming curd upon obtaining the conditions sought; 'being completed only after depending on conditions is precisely being without nature' corresponds to: if it existed fundamentally, why would it depend on conditions?