維摩經略疏 7.69

7.69

From "What is meant by... to ...liberation through skillful means" is, second, explaining the preceding four thematic headings. First, explaining "Wisdom without skillful means is bondage": this refers to having a mind of craving and views. When practicing correct contemplation, one is unable to realize that neither arising nor non-arising can be expressed, and one also lacks auxiliary paths to foster and generate real wisdom. Because real wisdom is not generated, craving and views are brought about. If one uses this mind to practice the six perfections, adorn buddha-lands, bring sentient beings to maturity, and practice the three gates of liberation to subdue [the mind], one will be unable to generate the real, break through the barrier of ignorance, and manifest the dharmakāya to benefit oneself and others. This is precisely wisdom without skillful means being bondage, like someone whose body is afflicted with illness and cannot function. Second, explaining "Wisdom with skillful means is liberation": this refers to not having a mind of craving and views; merely not having a mind of craving and views is the difference that reverses the former, while the remaining meanings are all identical and explained as before. Third, explaining "Skillful means without wisdom is bondage": this refers to dwelling in the three poisons. This is practicing contemplative cultivation without additionally cultivating real wisdom to shatter the general and specific three poisons; entering skillful means with an impure mind, one's myriad practices have no guide. This is precisely skillful means without wisdom being bondage, like someone whose hands and feet are diseased and cannot be at ease and nimble. Fourth, explaining "Skillful means with wisdom is liberation": this refers to being free from the three poisons; being free from the three poisons is the difference that reverses the former, and the rest is explained analogously.