摩訶止觀 3.22

3.22

4. Connecting with the three virtues: If the different names in the various sūtras are all calming and contemplation, then the names are limitless and the meanings are also limitless; why explain calming and contemplation only through three meanings? It is solely to correspond to the three virtues that this explanation is made. Since phenomena are limitless, why correspond exclusively to the three virtues? The Dàzhìdù lùn says: "Bodhisattvas, from their initial resolve of mind, always contemplate nirvāṇa and practice the path." The Mahā[parinirvāṇa]-sūtra says: "The Buddhas and sentient beings are all placed within the secret storehouse." The secret [storehouse] is nirvāṇa, nirvāṇa is the three virtues, and the three virtues are calming and contemplation. Both self and other, beginning and end, can practice and enter [into them]; hence they are used for this correspondence. If the two words are jointly connected to the three virtues: calming is cessation, and cessation connects to vimokṣa; contemplation is wisdom, and wisdom connects to prajñā; when calming and contemplation are equal, this is called the mark of relinquishment, and the mark of relinquishment connects to the dharmakāya. Furthermore, calming is śamatha, contemplation is vipaśyanā, and because -tha and -nā are equal, it is upekṣā. The connection to the three virtues is as before.