因明入正理論疏 2.3

2.3

The commentary states: The third section from here onward demonstrates the characteristics of the dṛṣṭānta. The text has three parts: first, positing; second, listing the names; third, explaining them in turn. This is the first part. In Sanskrit it is called dṛṣṭānta: dṛṣṭi means 'seeing', and anta means 'boundary' or 'limit'. Because by means of this illustration, the thesis is established, bringing it to completion is called anta. Another person's understanding arises and illuminates this culmination of the thesis; this is called dṛṣṭi. Therefore Asanga says: 'To posit an example means to make a proper statement by combining the seen limit with the unseen limit.' Buddhapālita (Siṃhabhadra) says: 'The seen limit refers to the already fully manifested part. The unseen limit refers to the not-yet fully manifested part. Using the fully manifested part to reveal the not-yet fully manifested part, making their meanings equal, whatever proper statement is made is called positing an example.' Now, following the local idiom, it is called an example (喻). An example is an illustration, a comparison, an illumination; because through this illustration and comparison the posited thesis is illuminated and clarified, it is therefore called an example. Although the reason was previously presented and also illuminated the thesis's meaning, an illustration had not yet been presented to make it extremely clear; now, through this comparison, the thesis's meaning becomes extremely clear, and therefore it is established separately from the reason and given the distinct name of 'example'.