御注金剛般若波羅蜜經宣演 2.184

2.184

Sūtra: “Subhūti, the merit that a bodhisattva creates […] not receive merit.”
Exposition: The third part provides the explanation. The Wei translation says: “Subhūti, a bodhisattva accepts merit but does not grasp merit; therefore a bodhisattva grasps merit.” The treatise says: “By means of expedient methods, one should accept it, but one should not grasp it.” “Accepting” (shou) and “grasping” (qu) have similar general designations. But according to their distinct meanings, “accepting” means to receive, while “grasping” means greedy attachment. Therefore, in the sūtras and treatises, whichever of grasping or accepting is mentioned, they are either distinct or interchangeable. Hence Zhenguan says: “What should be gathered is what should not be gathered; therefore it is called what should be gathered.” Exposition: The text differs from the Wei translation, but the meaning is the same. Although one accepts merit, one does not grasp or attach to it; for grasping and attaching to merit is identical to defilement, sinking into saṃsāra. Because one accepts merit, one does not abide in nirvāṇa, unlike the eternal extinction of the two vehicles. Because one does not grasp merit, one does not abide in saṃsāra, unlike ordinary people who increase defiled attachment. The treatise's explanation in the previous fascicle says of this: “‘Accepting’ is said because it exists; ‘grasping’ is because one cultivates that path. Just as in the accumulation of merit and its fruit, one should not attach in either.” Let other treatises be examined further. The verse of that treatise states: