大般涅槃經疏 8.5

8.5

Next, the Buddha's answer has two parts: first, rebuking his coarse words; second, explaining that permanent longevity is foremost. Now, in explaining the coarse words: you investigate the cause by means of the effect, and go so far as to say that the Tathāgata has a resentful mind and commits killing. Why do you not investigate the effect by means of the cause, explaining that the Tathāgata's life is long? Positing an evil cause where there is surely none is precisely 'coarse words.' Next, regarding 'among all permanences it is foremost': with respect to what kinds of permanence is it said to be foremost? There is the continuous unbroken succession of the worldly realm called permanence; there are also the three unconditioned permanences: that obtained by cutting off afflictions is called permanence by analytical cessation; that due to the deficiency of conditions for affairs is called permanence by non-analytical cessation; that lacking these two is called the permanence of space. These four kinds all fall short of the Tathāgata's permanence; the Tathāgata's permanence is wondrous existence, hence called foremost. This is the meaning according to the Tripiṭaka [teaching]. Furthermore, the permanence of the ultimate truth stands opposed to the unreality of birth and death; it is said that since this true permanence lacks birth and death, it also lacks this reality and lacks illuminating response. The Tathāgata's permanence is originally self-existent, independent of any opposition, and its permanence truly illuminates, hence called foremost. This is in terms of the Shared [teaching]. Furthermore, speaking of permanence as surpassing both permanence and impermanence: it is neither permanence nor impermanence, but simply permanence. This is in terms of the Distinct [teaching]. Furthermore, the Tathāgata's permanence is identical to the extreme yet central, fully endowed with the three dots neither horizontal nor vertical; therefore this permanence is foremost of all. This is in terms of the Perfect teaching.