諸經要集 2.37

2.37

Furthermore, the Nirvāṇa-sūtra says: If one could attain nirvāṇa apart from four things, that would be impossible. What are the four? First, drawing close to good friends; second, single-mindedly listening to the Dharma; third, focusing the mind in reflection; fourth, cultivating in accordance with the Dharma. Because of this meaning, the causal condition of listening to the Dharma allows one to draw near to Mahāparinirvāṇa. Why is this? Because it opens the Dharma-eye. There are three kinds of people in the world: the first has no eyes (an analogy for ordinary worldlings); the second has one eye (an analogy for śrāvakas); the third has two eyes (an analogy for bodhisattvas). Those said to have 'no eyes' consistently do not hear the Dharma. As for the person with 'one eye', although they temporarily hear the Dharma, their mind does not abide in it. As for the person with 'two eyes', they single-mindedly listen and accept it, and practice in accordance with what they have heard. Because of listening to the Dharma, one is able to know the world has these three kinds of people.