大般涅槃經疏 22.6

22.6

Next, the fourth virtue is explained; the text is divided into two: first, explaining the virtue, and next, discussing its meaning. The first has four parts: first, indicating; second, listing the chapter headings; third, explaining; fourth, concluding. [Master] Yěchéng said: "The first two pertain to the stages before the bhūmis, and the latter eight correspond to the eight bhūmis. The previous statement that the roots are deep refers to the stage of nature, which is also the emptiness of persons. Entering the first reliance with a determinate mind is also the emptiness of dharmas. Among the latter eight, the first—not regarding the field of merit—is the perfection of dāna on the first bhūmi; the tenth—severing the two extremes—is the eighth bhūmi." This interpretation is incorrect; now, all of these are the virtues of true realization. From "How are the roots deep?" below is the third part, explaining; in the text, the fifth and sixth are combined into a single explanation. In explaining the first heading, the text is divided into three: indicating, explaining, and concluding. In the initial matter, five meanings are fully possessed: first, the fundamental; second, the roots are deep; third, the roots are vast; fourth, the roots are long; fifth, the roots are superior. Non-negligence is the fundamental. If spoken of generally, practicing good in all ways is non-negligence; if spoken of specifically, the initial examination of the mind is non-negligence; having both of these meanings constitutes the fundamental. Next, the root of anuttarasamyaksaṃbodhi is that the roots are deep. Deeply plumbing dharmatā to its ultimate limit is the truth; this is the root of bodhi, and hence it is called "deep." That all the good roots of all buddhas are based on non-negligence is that the roots are vast. Because they are able to increase and grow, the roots are long. Being superior among all goods, the roots are superior. It cites thirteen metaphors in all to illustrate its superior aspects. From "What is non-negligence?" below, it cites ten roots in all to re-explain that the roots are long. Possessing these ten meanings, it is deep, solid, and difficult to uproot. Personally, I say: since "long" and "superior" are explained through many meanings, examining the other three reveals they are also like this. The remaining four all have ten and all have thirteen.