四教義 1.7

1.7

Second, regarding explaining the name of the shared teaching: "shared" means identical; because the three vehicles receive it in common, it is called shared. This teaching elucidates the principle of the four noble truths of non-arising and that causes and conditions are identical to emptiness, and is the elementary gate of the Mahāyāna. It is properly for bodhisattvas and collaterally shared by the two vehicles. Therefore the Dàpǐn jīng says: "Those who wish to study the śrāvaka vehicle should study prajñā. Those who wish to study the pratyekabuddha vehicle should study prajñā. Those who wish to study the bodhisattva vehicle should study prajñā." Because the three vehicles equally receive this teaching and perceive the paramārtha-satya, it is called the shared teaching. What is called the shared teaching has multiple meanings, but eight meanings are briefly set forth: first, shared teaching; second, shared principle; third, shared wisdom; fourth, shared severance; fifth, shared practice; sixth, shared stages; seventh, shared cause; and eighth, shared fruit. "Shared teaching" means that the three vehicles commonly receive the teaching that causes and conditions are identical to emptiness. "Shared principle" means that they commonly see the biased real principle. "Shared wisdom" means that they commonly attain the all-knowledge of skillful conveyance. "Shared severance" means that the severing of delusions within the realms is identical. "Shared practice" means that the untainted practice regarding [delusions of] view and thought is identical. "Shared stages" means that the stages from the stage of dry wisdom up to the pratyekabuddha stage are all identical. "Shared cause" means that the nine unobstructed causes are identical. "Shared fruit" means that the fruits of the nine liberations and the two kinds of nirvāṇa with residue and without residue are identical. Although there are eight shared meanings, it is simply termed the shared teaching because without relying on the shared teaching, one would not know the shared principle, nor ultimately attain the shared fruit. Thus, when beings of the two vehicles attain the Way in the various Mahāyāna Vaipulya and Prajñā texts, it is because they commonly receive this teaching. Question: "Why is it not named the common teaching?" Answer: "The name 'common' only captures the near side of the two vehicles and fails to capture the far side. If the name 'shared' is established, both the near and the far are facilitated. What is called 'facilitating the far' refers to sharing into the distinctive and sharing into the perfect."