肇論新疏 3.178

3.178

This is the second of the nine dialectical shifts. 'Challenge' (zheng) means to cross-examine. The preceding chapter stated that the path of nirvāṇa indeed transcends the realms of existence and non-existence. The intention of the challenge is: the two dharmas of existence and non-existence encompass everything; how could there be a separate substance of nirvāṇa outside of existence and non-existence? Examining the words of the challenge now, it includes the doctrines of existence and non-existence of Confucianism and Laozi, and further cites the two dharmas of existence and non-existence of the Hīnayāna as examples to challenge it. The 'transcendence of the realm' below completely transcends this existence and non-existence.