瑜伽師地論略纂 3.88

3.88

In [the section on] ambiguous evasion regarding the immortal, there are three parts: first, recounting the views; second, pointing to the sūtra; third, concluding with the faults. In recounting the views, there are three: first, the heading; next, explaining the meaning of ambiguous evasion regarding the immortal; last, recounting the four positions. Fascicle eighty-seven says: there are two kinds of pure devas: 1. not well-purified, who only attain pure absorption; 2. well-purified, who attain noble pure absorption. Absence of confusion is also twofold: 1. signless and non-conceptual, which is the well-purified devas; 2. with signs and conceptual, which is the devas not well-purified. The well-purified devas operate without confusion in their own immortality; therefore they are called "immortal and unconfused"; understanding things and meanings, they do not deceptively claim immortality, and are also truly immortal. The devas not well-purified, when questioned based on the aforementioned immortality and unconfusion, rely on other matters to ambiguously evade them, yet also call themselves "immortal devas" because of unconfusion. Now, above "ambiguous" one should add the word "un-", reading "immortal and unambiguous." Now, speaking concisely, it merely says "immortal and ambiguous," all explained at length as over there. It is not only claiming that the deva I serve is called immortal, and answering questions in accordance with the deva is called answering without confusion; in the Buddha's Dharma, those who see the noble truths, because it is the gate of being immortal and unambiguous, are also called immortal and unambiguous. "The path to higher rebirth" is the supreme cause for humans and devas. "The path of definitive excellence" is the supreme cause for nirvāṇa; the four truths are the objects of this supreme cause. As for "some, based on this being asked, thereupon claim to be immortal and confused": the immortal, pure deva whom I serve has commanded me: if anyone comes to ask, you should not answer correctly; if you answer, faults will arise; you should only respond to the question with a divergent answer.