維摩經略疏 7.11

7.11

From "If all sentient beings... to my illness will cease" onward, next is the reply to the third question on the cessation of the illness. If one uses the four teachings and threefold contemplation to sever the delusion and craving of sentient beings of the three lands, then when their real illnesses cease, Vimalakīrti's provisional illness will also cease; hence it says "then my illness will cease." Why? If the causal and fruitional illnesses arise in the Land of Common Abode, Vimalakīrti accommodates himself to them, expounding the four teachings for their sake to make them cultivate the threefold contemplation. If those sentient beings' illnesses cease, Vimalakīrti's provisional illness ceases along with them. If sentient beings of the Land of Remainder have causal and fruitional illnesses, Vimalakīrti displays a provisional illness, expounding the distinct and complete [teachings] for their sake to make them cultivate the provisional and middle. If those sentient beings' illnesses cease, Vimalakīrti's provisional illness ceases along with them. If sentient beings of the Land of Retribution have causal and fruitional illnesses, then for Vimalakīrti's provisional illness, he only expounds the complete [teaching] for their sake to make them cultivate the contemplation of the Middle. If those sentient beings part by part extinguish the forty-one grades, Vimalakīrti does likewise. In the ultimate stage of Quiescent Light, wisdom and severance are consummately perfected, so there is no cessation. The brief reply to the third question is finished. If the various masters do not permit explaining the provisional and real in terms of the two lands outside the realm, then those two lands should be without ignorance. If those [lands] have what is real, how could Vimalakīrti not have what is provisional?