二諦義 1.30

1.30

問：何故就二諦說法？說二諦有何利益耶？解云：略出兩論文。一者《中論．四諦品》云「若人不能知，分別於二諦，即於深佛法，不知真實義。」明若不解二諦，於深佛法不知真實；若了二諦，於深佛法即知真實義。故知說二諦有大利益。二者《十二門論》觀性門云「若人不知二諦，則不得自利、他利、共利；若知二諦，則得三利。」此之二論互出耳。然此二益攝一切益盡，《中論》明知深佛法益、《十二門》明利眾生益，上求下化不出二益也。

Question: Why expound the Dharma with reference to the two truths? What benefit is there in explaining the two truths? Answer: Briefly, two treatises' texts may be adduced. First, the chapter on the "Four Truths" in the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā says: "If a person cannot know / the distinction between the two truths, / then regarding the profound Buddha-Dharma, / they do not know the real meaning." This explains that if one does not understand the two truths, one does not know reality regarding the profound Buddha-Dharma; if one realizes the two truths, one immediately knows the real meaning regarding the profound Buddha-Dharma. Therefore we know that explaining the two truths has great benefit. Second, the "Contemplation of Nature" chapter in the Dvādaśamukhaśāstra says: "If a person does not know the two truths, they will not attain self-benefit, other-benefit, or mutual benefit; if they know the two truths, they will attain the three benefits." These two treatises bring this out mutually. However, these two benefits completely encompass all benefits: the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā explains the benefit of knowing the profound Buddha-Dharma, and the Dvādaśamukhaśāstra explains the benefit of benefiting sentient beings; seeking above and converting below do not go beyond these two benefits.