四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 3.384

3.384

Sixth, explaining the practice of the noble path upon leaving home. But exiting into the noble path is something one has never done from the beginningless [past]; it is all because worldly attachments and habits are hard to relinquish. Now that one has pulled oneself out of the mundane, one must practice noble activities. Although they are manifold in the sūtras, they must be divided into three stages: First, the practice of persons of the Small Vehicle. Observing the arising and ceasing of phenomena, they know there is no nature of self, others, good, evil, and the like. Second, the practice of lesser bodhisattvas. Observing the arising and ceasing of phenomena, they know there are no characteristics of self, others, good, evil, and the like. Third, the practice of great bodhisattvas. Observing that phenomena are mind, discriminated by mental discourse (manojalpa). Hence the Mahāyānasaṃgraha states: 'From the stage of resolute aspiration up to the ultimate stage, within what is called contemplation, one takes mental discourse and discrimination as the objective sphere. Apart from this, there is no other distinct dharma.' The two distinct practices above are as explained elsewhere. As for the expedients for entering the path, dispelling doubts, and relinquishing obstructions; for someone who necessarily casts off all actions and constantly aspires to practice; it is fully and broadly distinguished in the twenty fascicles of the Distinct Practice Gate.