瑜伽師地論略纂 6.78

6.78

「四問記論」者，謂一向記等四論。人四記者，於法實相，如問如來法身是真覺性等，應一向記，言爾顯了；問人果勝劣，應分別記，望天為劣，望餘為勝；隱密非顯了問義，亦非一向門，問人勝劣，應詰問記，汝何所方，如是展轉觀彼曲意，返詰無窮；問實有情作者、受者，應捨置記。　法四記者，於法實相，問真如常耶，應一向記；問諸有情身中業果，其異熟當定生耶，潤惑盡者異熟不生，潤惑未盡者異熟當生；觀其諂意，問請說法，但應返問，不應開釋；問蘊實法當為有無耶，應捨置記。記謂記別，記別解脫故。

"Discussions on answering four kinds of questions": refers to the four types of discussion, such as categorical declaration and so forth. As for the four declarations regarding persons: regarding the real mark of dharmas, as when asking whether the Tathāgata's Dharmakāya is the true nature of awakening, one should give a categorical declaration, clearly saying "yes"; when asking about the superiority or inferiority of the results of persons, one should give an analytical declaration, saying it is inferior compared to the gods and superior compared to others; when the meaning of the question is hidden rather than explicit and not within a categorical approach, asking about the superiority or inferiority of persons, one should give a cross-examining declaration: "What do you mean?" thus sequentially observing their crooked intent and questioning back without end; when asking whether there is a real sentient being who is an agent or experiencer, one should give a declaration by putting it aside. As for the four declarations regarding dharmas: regarding the real mark of dharmas, when asking whether tathatā is eternal, one should give a categorical declaration; when asking whether the karmic results within the bodies of sentient beings will definitely produce maturation: for those whose defilements that moisten [rebirth] are exhausted, maturation is not produced, but for those whose defilements that moisten [rebirth] are not exhausted, maturation will be produced; observing an insincere intent in requesting Dharma to be taught, one should merely question back and not explain; when asking whether the real entities of the aggregates exist or not, one should give a declaration by putting it aside. "Declaration" means answering, because it makes an analytical declaration regarding liberation.