大乘百法明門論開宗義決 1.23

1.23

Regarding the "school of immortal evasive equivocations (amarāvikkhepa)": there are four kinds of immortal evasive equivocations. First, one whose awareness is not yet awakened; fearing that others will know of his ignorance, he does not answer clearly, "I do not know anything." Second, one gives rise to excessive pride regarding what he has realized; fearing other people's cross-examination and fearing lying, he does not clearly state, "I have realization." Third, his awareness is already awakened but not yet definitive; fearing lying and fearing other people's cross-examination, he does not clearly state, "I am not definitive." These three kinds resort to other matters and use evasive language. Fourth, one is feeble, dull, and foolish; he does not understand either worldly or world-transcending paths, nor can he understand worldly texts; fearing other people's cross-examination and that they will know his foolishness, he only asks them in return, turns according to their words, and then declares himself: "I rely upon and study the pure immortal devas." Thus, he counter-questions and uses evasive words in response to what was asked; therefore, it is called immortal evasive equivocation. In the Prakaraṇāryavācā-śāstra, this view is not refuted, because it is foolish and has no fixed tenet.