翻譯名義集 6.65

6.65

[Asādhya] here translated as 'incurable illness'. The *Hongming ji* says: 'An illness destined for death cannot be dispelled even by a sage; a curable illness awaits a doctor before it can heal.' Therefore, the *Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra* explains three kinds of illnesses: first, easily cured; second, difficult to cure; third, incurable. The *Commentary on the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa* says: 'Treatment brings alleviation. First, there are those who take medicine from the start, but it only increases and does not abate, with no possibility of recovery; this is called increase-increase. Second, there are those who, though critically ill, are cured as soon as they are treated; this is called increase-decrease. Third, there are those who take medicine and at first gradually abate, but later it flares up again; this is called decrease-increase. Fourth, there are those who gradually abate from the start until full recovery; this is called decrease-decrease.' It further explains the treatment of sentient beings' illnesses: First, increase-increase refers to the lowest ordinary beings who, if Dharma is preached to them, give rise to further slander; the transgressions of icchantikas, like Sunakṣatra and Devadatta. Second, increase-decrease refers to individuals like Śrīgupta. Third, decrease-increase refers to, as the Great Treatise explains, the bhikṣu of the fourth dhyāna who believed it to be the fourth fruit; at the verge of death he saw his place of rebirth and slandered that there is no nirvāṇa, falling straight into hell. Moreover, the *Abhidharma* and *Satyasiddhi* explain those who fall back from the Dharma; all are of this type. Fourth, decrease-decrease refers to Śāriputra and other realized beings.'