大般涅槃經疏 9.24

9.24

From "Kāśyapa spoke again" onward is the second [section], discussing the doctrine, which contains two exchanges of question and answer. In this doctrinal discussion, he quotes the earlier simile of the lamp being extinguished, which illustrates that once extinguished it is never born again, [asking] how there could be the non-localized manifestation of the śūraṅgama[-samādhi]. He takes the earlier idea to challenge the later doctrine. The text of the response has three parts: first, reproving his question; second, responding by adducing similes; third, turning around to reproach Kāśyapa for taking the answer respectfully received as a basis for raising difficulties. The Buddha's response has four parts: first, reproving the question; second, determining the central tenet; third, reconciling the simile; fourth, critical discrimination. The first two are as in the text. Third, reconciling the lamp being extinguished: he says that this is the nirvāṇa of the arhat, which is eternally extinguished and not reborn; the nirvāṇa of the Tathāgata is extinguished yet unextinguished, unborn yet born (and so forth). From "If further" below is the fourth, the critical discrimination. In it, the statement that an anāgāmin does not undergo rebirth means, according to one explanation, that he does not undergo rebirth in the desire realm; according to the Mahāyāna, the anāgāmin does not undergo rebirth in the two extremes.