四教義 11.6

11.6

Third, the difference in terms of severing versus not severing: When discussing the principle to its utmost, it is empty and void; the nature of the essence of ignorance originally does not exist. Since ignorance does not exist, how could one speak of wisdom? With neither realization nor delusion, how could one distinguish the difference between distinctive and perfect? Therefore, the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: 'Who possesses wisdom, who possesses affliction, such that one says vipaśyanā can destroy affliction?' This does not discuss severing or not severing. Yet the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: 'When it is dark, there is ignorance; when it is bright, there is no darkness. When there is affliction, there is no wisdom; when there is wisdom, there is no affliction.' Now, in terms of the meaning that when there is wisdom there is no affliction, it is spoken of as severing. In terms of the distinctive teaching, severing is mostly discussed in terms of fixed characteristics; this is clarifying stages through conceivable wisdom and severing, which is the meaning of clumsy conveyance in the Mahāyāna. In the perfect teaching's clarification of meaning, it mostly speaks of non-severing; severing without severing is precisely inconceivable severing. Clarifying sequential stages through non-sequential stages is precisely the meaning of skillful conveyance in the Mahāyāna. Therefore, this sūtra states: 'The nature of lust, anger, and delusion is itself liberation.' It also states: 'Without severing delusion and attachment, one generates all illuminations and liberations.' Question: By inferring the meaning, there are thirty-six propositions regarding severing and not severing; why now take severing as belonging to the distinctive teaching and not severing as belonging to the perfect teaching? Answer: These two propositions represent the direct purport of the Buddhadharma; the others are subsidiary. Entering the stages without severing is equivalent in meaning to Mount Sumeru entering a mustard seed; this is the stage of inconceivable wisdom and severing.