說無垢稱經疏 1.23

1.23

問：諸佛說法，本除我執。何故不稱無我聞，乃言我聞？答：以四義故，但稱我聞。一、言說易故。若言無我，知此說誰？二、順世間故。三、除無我怖。言無我者，為誰修學？四者有自他染淨因果事業等故，所以稱我。

Question: When the Buddhas speak the Dharma, they fundamentally eliminate the grasping of a self. Why do they not say "Heard without a self," but instead say "I have heard"? Answer: Due to four meanings, it is only stated as "I have heard." First, because conventional speech is easy; if one were to say "without a self," who would know who is speaking this? Second, because it accords with the world. Third, to eliminate the fear of selflessness; if one says "without a self," for whose sake would one cultivate and study? Fourth, because there are actions, causes, and effects of self and other, defiled and pure, and so forth; therefore it is spoken of as "I."