成唯識論演祕 4.706

4.706

釋曰：所問之法，相形待言，勝劣不定，故須反問。且三寶中，師資而言，法為最勝；起說次第，即佛為勝，由佛出世方說法故。又內外道，皆有三寶，望外三寶，內三皆勝。十地相形，勝劣可悉，為斯不同，故須返問。若不返問，而為答者，隨言勝劣，而有難生，問即難息。四、默置記。如有問言：實有性我，為善為惡？石女兒色，為黑為白？如是等問，應默置記，不應記故，長戲論故。

The Explanation states: Because the dharmas asked about are mutually relative, their superiority or inferiority is indeterminate; hence one must counter-question. For instance, among the Three Jewels, in terms of teacher and student, the Dharma is the most superior; in terms of the order of occurrence and preaching, the Buddha is superior, because only by the Buddha's appearing in the world is the Dharma preached. Furthermore, both internal and external paths have three jewels; compared with the external three jewels, all three internal ones are superior. In the mutual relation of the ten grounds, superiority and inferiority can also be understood. Because of these differences, one must counter-question. If one does not counter-question but answers directly, then whichever is stated to be superior or inferior, objections will arise, and the questions will not cease. The fourth is the answer by setting aside in silence (sthāpanīya-vyākaraṇa). For example, someone asks: 'Is the substantially existent self good or evil? Is the color of a barren woman's son black or white?' Questions such as these should be answered by setting them aside in silence, because they should not be answered, and doing so would only augment prolixity (prapañca).