大乘入道次第 1.63

1.63

Second, the mimetic path of seeing is also divided into two: First, the afflictions abandoned by the three-mind mimetic seeing, namely the heavy burdens of the soft grade and so forth, are designated as listed above. Question: Afflictions of which grade are called the 'soft grade' and so forth? Explanation: Afflictions of the superior grade are called the soft grade; hindrances of dharmas of the superior grade are called the medium grade; the lower grade of both hindrances is collectively called the third. Question: Since the initial two hindrances are of the superior grade, why are they called 'soft' and 'medium'? Answer: Because the paths capable of abandoning them are lower and medium. The hindrances take their name from that wisdom, being called 'soft, medium', and so forth. Question: According to this, since the two hindrances are only divided into superior and lower, why is a second medium grade not established? Answer: The medium grade is indeterminate, sometimes belonging to the superior and sometimes to the lower, so it is not separately opened. Superior and lower are not like this, and therefore do not subsume each other. This is just as in the sūtras, which speak only of faculties of superior and lower strength, and do not speak of medium strength. This intention is likewise so.