俱舍論記 29.13

29.13

「四中初二至悲是不害」者，釋第三句。四中慈、悲體是無瞋。《正理》云「性雖無別，然慈能治殺有情瞋，歡行相轉；悲能對治惱有情瞋，慼行相轉，是謂差別。」問：若悲無瞋為體、能治瞋者，何故前說悲能治害？解云：以實而言，悲正除瞋，害是瞋家等流果故。悲亦治害、或悲治害，述論主義。論主解云：理實應言悲是不害。問：雖順長行悲能治害，如何頌說悲是無瞋？解云：不害似無瞋，以無瞋名說。故《正理》云「有作是言：悲是不害，近治害故。理實如是，但害似瞋，以瞋名說。悲之行相亦似無瞋，立無瞋名，實是不害（已上論文）。」又解：頌文是前師義。

"Of the four, the first two [...] compassion is non-harming" explains the third line. Among the four [immeasurables], the essence of benevolence (maitrī) and compassion (karuṇā) is non-ill will (adveṣa). The Nyāyānusāra says: "Although there is no difference in their intrinsic nature, benevolence can counteract the ill will that kills sentient beings, operating with a joyful mental aspect; compassion can counteract the ill will that torments sentient beings, operating with a sorrowful mental aspect. This is the difference." Question: If compassion has non-ill will as its essence and can counteract ill will, why was it said earlier that compassion can counteract harming? An explanation says: Strictly speaking, compassion directly removes ill will, and harming is an outflowing fruit (niṣyanda-phala) belonging to ill will. Compassion also counteracts harming, or compassion counteracts harming as a recounting of the śāstra-master's intention. The author of the śāstra explains: "In reality, it should be said that compassion is non-harming (ahiṃsā)." Question: Although this agrees with the prose explanation that compassion can counteract harming, why does the verse state that compassion is non-ill will? An explanation says: Non-harming resembles non-ill will, so it is spoken of by the name of non-ill will. Hence the Nyāyānusāra states: "Some say: Compassion is non-harming because it directly counteracts harming. In reality it is indeed so, but harming resembles ill will, so it is spoken of by the name of ill will. The mental aspect of compassion also resembles non-ill will, so the name 'non-ill will' is established, yet in reality it is non-harming (the above is the śāstra text)." Another explanation says: The verse text represents the position of the earlier masters.