維摩經略疏 7.6

7.6

"Does it not tend to increase?" Next is proclaimed the third sentence. The meaning of this question is that just as people's illnesses in the world possess four kinds: (1) Some, from the beginning of taking medicine, only increase without abating, ultimately with no reason for recovery; this is called "increase-increase." (2) Others, though critically ill, are cured as soon as treated; this is called "increase-abate." (3) Others take medicine, and though it temporarily abates at first, it later increases again; this is called "abate-increase." (4) From the beginning it gradually abates until full recovery; this is "abate-abate." Vimalakīrti provisionally manifests birth in the Co-dwelling [Land], expounding the twelve-part scriptures to treat the illnesses of sentient beings, which also correspond to conditions of four faculties: (1) "Increase-increase" refers to lowest ordinary persons who, if Dharma is expounded to them, further give rise to slandering and icchantika transgressions, such as Sunakkhatta, Devadatta, and so on. (2) "Increase-abate" is like Śrīgupta, Aṅguli[māla], and so on. (3) "Abate-increase" is like the monk of the fourth dhyāna explained in the *Zhì lùn*, who believed it to be the fourth fruit, but at the approach of death saw his place of rebirth, slandered that there is no nirvāṇa, and immediately fell into hell; also the persons who fall back in the teaching explained in the *Abhidharma* and *Satyasiddhi* are all of this mark. (4) "Abate-abate" refers to Śāriputra and other people who attained the Path. Vimalakīrti in the Co-dwelling [Land], in his provisional illness, is also like this. Second, according to the Land with Remainder, there are only three kinds, with no "increase-increase"; having already attained non-retrogression in stage, they are not reborn in the three realms. Yet the three vehicles born there have the sharp and the dull, and according to retrogression in practice and retrogression in mindfulness, there can also be three; the provisional illness is also like this. In the Retribution Land, all are non-retrograde in mindfulness; thought after thought is tranquil and naturally flows into [the ocean of omniscience], so all are "abate-abate." Or one may establish three alternatives according to the meaning of entering and exiting contemplation; the provisional illness is also like this. Quiescent Light is the ultimate stage, clear and tranquil without illness. Vimalakīrti provisionally identifies with the illnesses of the previous three lands, and in treating their real illnesses, they abate and do not increase. Vimalakīrti is also like this, and therefore he inquires, "Does it not tend to increase?"