肇論 1.91

1.91

The Named said: A sūtra says: 'The nature of sentient beings is bounded within the pañca-skandha.' It also says: 'One who attains nirvāṇa has the pañca-skandha completely extinguished, like a lamp going out.' Thus, the nature of sentient beings is suddenly extinguished within the pañca-skandha, while the Way of nirvāṇa is independently established outside the three realms of existence. Vastly separated in distinct realms, it is no longer sentient beings who attain nirvāṇa. If indeed there is an attainment, then the nature of sentient beings does not stop at the pañca-skandha; if it must stop at the pañca-skandha, then the pañca-skandha is not completely extinguished. If the pañca-skandha is completely extinguished, who is it that attains nirvāṇa?