大般涅槃經義記 9.16

9.16

Next, it relies on the time of extinction to reveal nirvāṇa. Therein, it first relies on the second month to reveal it. Siṃhanāda asks first, and below the Buddha answers him; first specifically, and then concluding. Within the specific treatment, there are four points: First, it explains that in the second month people mostly give rise to the four inverted views of permanence, bliss, self, and purity; the Buddha, in order to refute these, reveals the Tathāgata's permanence, bliss, self, and purity, first refuting the inverted view of permanence, and next those of bliss, self, and purity. Second, it symbolizes the Tathāgata's two kinds of dharmakāya, namely the true and the responsive. Third, not entering nirvāṇa in winter reveals that the wise do not delight in the Tathāgata's impermanence and extinction; entering nirvāṇa in the second month reveals that the wise love and delight in the Tathāgata's permanence, bliss, self, and purity. Fourth, it uses events such as planting in the second month to symbolize the disciples cultivating various wholesome dharmas. Therein are four: (1) using planting to symbolize sentient beings hearing the Dharma, generating the mind, and planting wholesome roots; (2) the rivers filling to capacity, symbolizing the cloud-like gathering of bodhisattvas from the ten directions; (3) the hundred beasts nursing their young, symbolizing the disciples planting wholesome roots; (4) the blossoming and flourishing of flowers and fruits, symbolizing the disciples cultivating the flowers of the seven factors of awakening and attaining the fruits of the four paths.