維摩經略疏垂裕記 3.69

3.69

五、釋聲聞入滅非淨佛國難，二：初、問難。荊溪云：菩薩可爾等者，淨土之行必須願生；小乘亡生，生滅義反，何得引同菩薩事耶？二、答釋，二：初、正答聲聞淨佛土。「所以至此義」者，引前第四番中答辭以總責也。深求從本則小乘淨國，淺問從跡則小乘取滅。「如法」下，正答也。荊溪云：從本說之方有其事，故受折者皆是能同。二、「又問」下，更顯佛國為經宗，二：初、引文立宗。荊溪云：此別酬問意，即更通引顯成佛國為宗義也。「因此往復」者，荊溪云：往復乃是通指九品。二、「若不」下，責古成今。荊溪云：破古意者，此將已釋以難古非，故以空室用表極淨之佛土也，以破古釋所生諸品意。斥古人雖見經文十方佛土皆空之文，亦未肯以宗為佛國。淨名意以十方三土亦復皆空，良由室表常寂光空，當知古人未曉經旨。

Fifth, resolving the objection that śrāvakas entering extinction is not purifying the Buddha Land, in two parts: First, raising the objection. Jingxi states: "For bodhisattvas it may be so…" means the practice of the pure land definitely requires the vow to be born; the Hinayana extinguishes rebirth, and birth and extinction are contrary in meaning, so how can they be cited as identical to the matter of bodhisattvas? Second, answering and resolving, in two parts: First, directly answering that śrāvakas purify the Buddha land. "The reason why reaching this meaning": citing the words of the answer in the fourth round above to reprimand collectively. Seeking deeply from the fundamental, then the Hinayana purifies the land; inquiring shallowly from the trace, then the Hinayana takes extinction. From "In accordance with the Dharma…" downward is the direct answer. Jingxi states: Speaking of it from the fundamental, only then is there this matter; therefore, those who received reprimand are all able to be the same. Second, from "Also asking…" downward, further revealing the Buddha Land as the central theme of the sūtra, in two parts: First, citing the text to establish the theme. Jingxi states: This specifically responds to the question's intent, namely further citing comprehensively to reveal and establish the meaning of the Buddha Land as the theme. "Because of these dialogues": Jingxi states: Dialogues refers comprehensively to the nine chapters. Second, from "If not…" downward, reproaching the ancients to establish the present. Jingxi states: As for the intent of refuting the ancients, this takes what has already been explained to challenge the errors of the ancients; therefore, the empty room is used to symbolize the ultimate pure Buddha land, in order to refute the ancients' explanations of the intent of the arising of the various chapters. It criticizes the ancients for failing to take the Buddha Land as the theme even though they saw the sūtra text stating that the Buddha lands in the ten directions are all empty. Jingming's intention was that the three lands in the ten directions are also all empty, precisely because the room symbolizes the emptiness of the Eternal Serene Light; one should know that the ancients did not comprehend the sūtra's intent.