大乘義章 19.34

19.34

三念處義，如經中說「一切眾生，是佛如來生念境界，故云念處。」念處不同，隨境分三：一是正眾、二是邪眾、三非正非邪。如來自知己法最勝，然於所受者不生喜心，是初念處；於不受者不生瞋心，第二念處；於彼非受及非不受中容人所，不生癡捨，常得淨心，第三念處。於邪正等既得分三，於怨親中三種人所亦得分三：於怨不嗔，是初念處；於親不愛，第二念處；中容人所不生癡心，第三念處。問曰：如來何因緣故得三念處？久於眾生修習平等大捨心故，深觀眾生無我人故，了知諸法性空寂故，故於三眾得平等心。三念處義，略之云爾。

The meaning of the three applications of mindfulness: as stated in the sūtra, 'All sentient beings are the cognitive sphere where the Tathāgata generates mindfulness, and therefore they are called applications of mindfulness.' The applications of mindfulness differ, being divided into three according to the cognitive object: first, the right assembly; second, the wrong assembly; third, neither right nor wrong. The Tathāgata knows of himself that his own Dharma is supreme, yet toward those who accept it, he does not generate a glad mind: this is the first application of mindfulness. Toward those who do not accept it, he does not generate an angry mind: this is the second application of mindfulness. Toward those neutral persons who neither accept nor reject it, he does not generate deluded equanimity, but constantly maintains a pure mind: this is the third application of mindfulness. Just as they can be divided into three toward the wrong, right, and so on, they can also be divided into three toward the three kinds of persons—enemies, friends, and neutral ones: not becoming angry at enemies is the first application of mindfulness; not feeling affection for friends is the second application of mindfulness; not generating a deluded mind toward neutral persons is the third application of mindfulness. Question: For what reason does the Tathāgata attain the three applications of mindfulness? Because he has long practiced an equanimous mind of great renunciation toward sentient beings; because he deeply contemplates sentient beings as devoid of self or person; and because he completely knows all phenomena to be empty and tranquil by nature; therefore, he attains an equanimous mind toward the three assemblies. The meaning of the three applications of mindfulness is briefly stated like this.