起信論疏筆削記 20.30

20.30

In the commentary, 'three positions' categorizes and differentiates the people reborn, specifically speaking of those who have already been born there. If we consider the Guan jing, which fully clarifies the nine grades, Tiantai's classification is: the people of the upper three grades range from the nature of practice (xi-zhong) to the bodhisattvas of understanding and practice (jiexing); the middle three grades are those below the ten faiths, because they seek rebirth through being able to maintain moral precepts and filial support; the lower three grades are the ordinary, drifting worldlings of the present time, who, having committed various evil and heavy offenses, only wish for rebirth when approaching the end of life upon meeting the exhortation of a good friend. The highest of the highest grade, upon seeing the Buddha and hearing the Dharma, immediately realizes non-arising, and is therefore a person of the lineage of the path (daozhong); the highest of the middle grade corresponds to the lineage of nature (xingzhong); the highest of the lower grade corresponds to the lineage of practice (xizhong). First, the attainment of the path has slow and fast [speeds]; second, that which is mounted has superior and inferior [qualities]. Regarding the slow and fast speeds of attaining the path: the highest of the highest grade is as before, immediately realizing non-arising after being born; for the highest of the middle grade, having been born, after seven days they attain non-retrogression, and after one minor eon they attain the tolerance of the non-arising of dharmas; for the highest of the lower grade, after three times seven days they can travel to the ten directions, and after three minor eons they attain the gate of the clarity of the hundred dharmas and abide in the stage of joy (pramuditā-bhūmi). Regarding the superior and inferior qualities of that which is mounted: the first is a vajra dais; the next is a purple-gold dais; the last is a golden lotus flower.