維摩義記 3.57

3.57

As for the "Chapter on the Buddha Path," discussing it generally, all that is cultivated is bodhisattva practice, and all is the Buddha path. Distinguishing within this, relinquishing characteristics and approaching quiescence is bodhisattva practice; realizing quiescence and generating function is called the Buddha path. Now cultivating this path, the chapter is titled after it and named "Chapter on the Buddha Path." The previous two pairs were practices of one's own domain; from here below, the third is the practice of superior advancement. Distinguishing them provisionally by stage: one's own domain lies at the sixth bhūmi and below, because according to the Daśabhūmika Sūtra, at the sixth bhūmi and below one cultivates the practice of relinquishing characteristics and approaching quiescence. Superior advancement lies at the seventh bhūmi and above, because according to the Daśabhūmika Sūtra, at the seventh bhūmi and above one cultivates wisdom of upāya and arouses the extraordinary practices of a bodhisattva. In reality, it applies to both. Within this chapter, it first clarifies what is practiced; from "Puxian asked" downward, it reveals what is accomplished. In the former part on what is practiced, it first clarifies penetrating the path, revealing the essence of the practice; below, it speaks of the afflictions as the seeds of the Tathāgata, revealing the root of the practice and establishing the former meaning that practicing the non-path is penetrating the path. In the former part, it first directly distinguishes through questions and answers, and then summarizes it. Within the direct distinction, there are two questions and answers. "Mañjuśrī asked, 'How does a bodhisattva penetrate the Buddha path?'" is the first question. "A bodhisattva's practicing the non-path is called penetrating the Buddha path" is the general answer responding to the question. Defiled dharmas, not being the supramundane correct path, are called the "non-path"; the Buddhas constantly use these dharmas to transform people, which is called the "Buddha path"; and a bodhisattva's practicing this is called penetrating the Buddha path.