維摩經略疏垂裕記 3.44

3.44

Second, from "As the Buddha" below, citing an incident as proof, [which has] two [parts]: First, correctly citing. The first fascicle of the Da zhidu lun says: "There was a heterodox mendicant named Dīrghanakha ('Long-Nails'), who was a great debater. He held that all treatises could be demolished, all statements could be destroyed, and all attachments could be overturned; therefore there was no real dharma that could be trusted or respected." As stated in the Śāriputra-pūrvāpara Sūtra: "He was Śāriputra's maternal uncle. Because his sister was pregnant with a wise child, he repeatedly lost debates to her. Ashamed of his inferiority, he traveled to study. Having completed his studies, he returned to his home country, looking for his nephew but not seeing him. He went to challenge the Buddha, saying: 'All treatises can be demolished,' and so forth. With a single phrase the Buddha reproached him: 'Do you accept this view of yours or not?' Thinking for a long time, he could not find a single dharma entering his mind. He then said: 'The recluse Gautama has placed me in two gates of defeat. If I answer that I accept it, this gate of defeat is coarse, known to everyone: how can one who says he accepts nothing now say he accepts, visibly lying? If I answer that I do not accept my view, this gate of defeat is subtle, known to no one.' He immediately answered: 'I do not accept this view either.' The Buddha said: 'If you do not accept this view, with what will you refute others? You are no different from the multitude; why be conceited and give rise to pride?' Thereupon Dīrghanakha could not answer the Buddha, knowing himself to have fallen into defeat. 'The World-Honored One did not expose my fault, nor did he declare right or wrong.' His mind became supple and soft, and he attained the purity of the Dharma eye." What Dīrghanakha maintained belonged to the double negation view among the simple four views, or corresponded to the latter three views among the simple four views, as well as the view of wordlessness. If one says that one accepts nothing, it seems like having no view. Jingxi says: "No different from the multitude" refers to those who give rise to views. Slightly accommodating, he merely said "the multitude."