注維摩詰經 2.256

2.256

[Seng]zhao says: "Birth and death are merely the beginning and end of life. Once beginning and end are parted with, lifespan is nonexistent. All instances of saying 'free from' are different names for emptiness." [Dao]sheng says: "Remaining in the world is called 'life', and a hundred years is 'lifespan'; these are also used to name one who possesses a lifespan. Lifespan is the retribution for past actions, a dharma of birth and death. If there is the defilement of a lifespan, there is the burden of birth and death. When one is already free from the burden, testing it thereby to show there is no one who possesses a lifespan makes the illustration clear. He does not say 'lifespan' but speaks of 'birth and death' because lifespan is what human sentiment cherishes; if they heard of being free from it, they would certainly be unable to delight in it. Birth and death are what human sentiment detests; if they hear of being free from this, they will certainly rejoice."