維摩經玄疏 6.63

6.63

Answer: In differentiating the differences, the purports are multiple. Now I will briefly differentiate them according to seven meanings of the perfect teaching, and thereby one will know that the four gates of the distinctive teaching and the four gates of the perfect teaching are distinct. The seven meanings are: first, if one discerns the four gates by clarifying that "all dharmas are precisely the true nature and true mark, buddha-nature and nirvāṇa, and cannot be further extinguished," these are the four gates of the perfect teaching; second, discerning the four gates by clarifying that at the initial mind one immediately opens the Buddha's knowledge and vision and has perfect illumination, these are the four gates of the perfect teaching; third, if one discerns the four gates by clarifying the inconceivable, entering nirvāṇa without severing afflictions, these are the four gates of the perfect teaching; fourth, if one discerns the four gates by clarifying perfect practice, these are the four gates of the perfect teaching; fifth, if one discerns the four gates by clarifying perfect stages, these are the four gates of the perfect teaching; sixth, if one clarifies the four gates by clarifying the perfect substance, these are the four gates clarified in the perfect teaching; seventh, if one clarifies the four gates by clarifying the perfect function, these are the four gates clarified in the perfect teaching.