起信論疏筆削記 20.45

20.45

Regarding 'because one, etc.', another objection asks: 'If one merely slanders this treatise, how can it be said that one severs the lineage of the Three Jewels and causes harm to oneself and others?' Therefore this is explained. The commentary states: Regarding 'fruitional persons attaining nirvāṇa, etc.', this is spoken merely by mutual implication and abbreviation with respect to persons; based on principle, when one is attained, all are attained, so they are not separate realizations. As the Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya states: 'Bodhisattvas rely on prajñā to attain nirvāṇa; the Buddhas of the three times rely on prajñā to attain bodhi.' This is also like that. Regarding 'the Jewel of the Dharma, etc.': in the treatise, the Tathāgata is the Buddha Jewel and bodhisattvas are the Saṅgha Jewel; if one does not believe in this Dharma, there will be no cultivation by bodhisattvas, which means the Saṅgha Jewel is severed. If there is no cultivation, one will not realize bodhi and nirvāṇa, which means the Dharma Jewel is severed. If one does not realize the fruit, there is no Tathāgata, which means the Buddha Jewel is severed. The severance of the Three Jewels is entirely due to disbelief and slander; therefore, one incurs sin spanning immeasurable kalpas and undergoes great suffering. From this, one should know that no great sin is greater than slandering the Dharma.