摩訶止觀 3.178

3.178

又約《中論》偈四句，亦得有地位義。偈云：「因緣所生法，我說即是空」者，即破煩惱、業、苦，便有須陀洹若智若斷，是菩薩無生法忍。六地齊二乘，七地為方便，十地為如佛，此位自明，云何言無？偈「亦名為假名」者，是漸次破界外三道，即有四十二賢聖位，云何言無？偈「亦名中道義」，即是圓破五住，便有六即之位，云何言無？秖用四句攝一切位；一切位不出四句，四句不出止觀，故言「攝位」也。

Furthermore, based on the four lines of the verse in the *Mūlamadhyamakakārikā*, one can also derive the meaning of stages. The verse says: 'Phenomena produced by causes and conditions, I say are empty.' That is, by shattering afflictions, karma, and suffering, there immediately are the srotāpanna's wisdom and severance; this is the bodhisattva's patience of the non-arising of dharmas. The sixth ground is on par with the two vehicles, the seventh ground serves as an expedient, and the tenth ground is like a Buddha—these stages are self-evident, so how can one say they do not exist? The verse's 'And also provisional designations' means gradually shattering the three paths beyond the realms, whereupon there are the forty-two stages of worthies and nobles; how can one say they do not exist? The verse's 'And also the meaning of the middle way' means the perfect shattering of the five entrenchments, whereupon there are the stages of the six identities; how can one say they do not exist? Merely using these four lines encompasses all stages; all stages do not go beyond the four lines, and the four lines do not go beyond calming and contemplation; hence it is said that it 'encompasses stages.'