大般涅槃經疏 6.9

6.9

Third, from “World-Honoured One, it is like a plantain tree…” onwards is doubting the teaching. If the past teaching was wrong, the Buddha should not have spoken it; if the past teaching was right, the Buddha should not reject it. If the present teaching is right, why was it not spoken earlier? If the present teaching is wrong, how can it be called real? Therefore, doubt arises. Dividing the text, there are three parts: first, explaining non-self; next, citing proof; third, explaining its function. The plantain corresponds to the aggregate of conditioning factors; the dregs of starch correspond to the aggregate of form; the *saptaparṇa* corresponds to the [other] three aggregates. Next, citing the Buddha's statement that all phenomena are without self and what belongs to self. Third, from “just as a bird's tracks in the sky” downwards, explaining the function of non-self, because the past teaching could eliminate [the delusions of] views and thoughts. Why non-self is explained is because the Buddha's past teaching explained non-self and I cultivated non-self. If there were a self, this would be impossible. Why does he say today that there is a self? Therefore, raising non-self serves as the source of doubt regarding the teaching.