大乘義章 9.33

9.33

次辨滅定時節分齊。毘曇法中，欲界眾生所入滅定，時雖能久而不久入，於中極遠不過七日，若過七日出定即死。何故如是？欲界眾生段食養身，段食之勢不過七日，故過七日出定即死。上界眾生離段食故，入滅定者能經多時，雖經多時不得過於彼報分齊，過出即死。成實法中，破毘曇家欲界眾生段食養身七日須出。彼說一切入滅定者，正受持身，縱逕多劫出亦不死。於中或有出而死者，以本命根垂盡之時而入滅定，是故出時即便命終，不由在定多時故死。大乘法中，諸佛菩薩所入滅定，時無限齊。問曰：經說「摩訶迦葉在鷄足山待彌勒出，從山而起，禮覲彌勒現十八變，然後滅身。」彼今在山，為般涅槃？為入滅定？釋有兩義。若依《成實》，彼入滅定正受持身，故後能出禮佛現化。若依《毘曇》，彼入涅槃，非是滅定。若是滅定出即身壞，何能詣佛禮事供養、廣現神化？又復依如《阿育王經》，宣說迦葉欲涅槃時往辭世王。云入涅槃，定知所入非是滅定。又復世尊付法藏中，說佛滅後，迦葉持法經二十年。摩訶迦葉般涅槃後，阿難持法復二十年，如是次第，故知彼今入般涅槃。問曰：若彼入涅槃者，後時何能詣佛禮覲、廣現神變？釋言：彼是留化神力，故能如是。如佛世尊般涅槃時，摩訶摩耶來至佛所，佛為起坐。亦如舍利、目揵連等化火燒身。此等皆是留化力也。時分如是（此三門竟）。

Next, the temporal duration and limits of the absorption of cessation are analyzed. In the Abhidharma system, when beings of the desire realm enter the absorption of cessation, although the time can be prolonged, they do not remain in it for long; the absolute maximum does not exceed seven days, and if it exceeds seven days, one dies immediately upon emerging from absorption. Why is it so? Beings of the desire realm nourish their bodies with gross food, and the power of gross food does not exceed seven days; therefore, if it exceeds seven days, one dies immediately upon emerging from absorption. Because beings of the higher realms are free from gross food, those who enter the absorption of cessation can endure for a long time; yet although they endure for a long time, they cannot exceed the limits of their karmic retribution; if they exceed it, they die upon emerging. In the Tattvasiddhi system, it refutes the Abhidharma master's view that beings of the desire realm nourish their bodies with gross food and must emerge after seven days. It states that for all who enter the absorption of cessation, correct reception sustains their bodies; even if many kalpas elapse, they do not die upon emerging. If among them there are some who die upon emerging, it is because they entered the absorption of cessation when their original life faculty was already near its end; therefore, upon emerging, they immediately end their lives, and do not die on account of remaining in absorption for a long time. In the Mahāyāna system, when Buddhas and bodhisattvas enter the absorption of cessation, the time has no limit or bound. Question: The sūtra states: "Mahākāśyapa is on Mount Kukkuṭapāda awaiting Maitreya's advent; rising from the mountain, he pays homage to Maitreya, displays eighteen transformations, and only then extinguishes his body." As he is now in the mountain, has he entered parinirvāṇa, or has he entered the absorption of cessation? There are two interpretations in explanation. If according to the Tattvasiddhi, he has entered the absorption of cessation and correct reception sustains his body, so that later he can emerge, pay homage to the Buddha, and manifest transformations. If according to the Abhidharma, he has entered nirvāṇa, not the absorption of cessation. If it were the absorption of cessation, his body would disintegrate upon emerging; how could he proceed to the Buddha, pay homage and make offerings, and extensively display spiritual transformations? Furthermore, relying on texts such as the Aśokarājasūtra, it is explained that when Kāśyapa was about to enter nirvāṇa, he went to bid farewell to King Ajātaśatru. It speaks of entering nirvāṇa, so we know with certainty that what he entered was not the absorption of cessation. Moreover, in the World-Honoured One's transmission of the Dharma treasury, it is said that after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa, Kāśyapa upheld the Dharma for twenty years; after Mahākāśyapa entered parinirvāṇa, Ānanda upheld the Dharma for another twenty years, in such succession; thus we know that he has now entered parinirvāṇa. Question: If he entered nirvāṇa, how can he at a later time proceed to the Buddha, pay homage, and extensively display spiritual transformations? Answer: That is by the supernatural power of remaining transformation, which enables it to be so. Just as when the Buddha, the World-Honoured One, entered parinirvāṇa, Mahāmāyā came to where the Buddha was, and the Buddha sat up for her; and also just as Śāriputra, Maudgalyāyana, and others manifested fire to cremate their bodies. These are all the power of remaining transformation. The temporal divisions are like this (this concludes the third gate).