肇論新疏 3.65

3.65

This also follows upon what precedes it. The first phrase cuts off the two kinds of characteristics; the next phrase transcends the two kinds of names. From 'seeing and hearing' downward: because it is free of name and characteristic, seeing and hearing do not reach it. The 'four formless realms' are the four formless [absorptions]. 'Benighted' means that nirvāṇa is not the concentration of the four formless realms; if one seeks it through these, how could one comprehend it clearly? Hence it is called benighted. From 'serene' downward, it again completes the preceding meaning. Why is it so? Because it is serene and level, and so forth. 'Nine streams' has two explanations: one says the nine stages; one says the nine schools of worldly statecraft, namely Daoism, Confucianism, Mohism, the School of Names, and so forth. 'Multitude of sages' means the three vehicles. The meaning is: the Way of nirvāṇa is where the nine streams converge and the multitude of sages meet; royal transformation is not two, different paths converge on the same goal.