英語訳
## Page Eighteen
### [Upper Section]
(The commentary) cites the two kinds of Tathāgata-garbha (*nyoraizō*) taught in the *Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra* (*Ryōga-kyō*). If that is the case, is the "non-empty Tathāgata-garbha" (*fukū nyoraizō*) among those two kinds one that includes (*tsūzu*) both defiled (*uro*) and undefiled (*muro*) seeds — or not? We present both sides.
If it does include (both), then looking at the text of the *Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra*, it says: "Because of perfecting habitual conditioning (*kunshū*) and being undefiled dharmas" (etc.). The sūtra text clearly limits (the referent) to undefiled seeds alone (as can be seen). Based on this, the Korean master Hŭng (*Sinra Kōhōshi*, 新羅興法師) judges: "(The non-empty Tathāgata-garbha comprises) only undefiled seeds." However, if that is the case, the present commentary states: "(The non-empty Tathāgata-garbha) includes both defiled and undefiled seeds" (etc.). How (should this be understood)? ([Colophon note:] The *Shiki no Hare (?)* (*Ben*/*Ben*?) — a lecture has already been given on this point.)
**Personal view:** This non-empty Tathāgata-garbha should be limited to undefiled seeds. Defiled (dharmas) are illusory (*komyō*), and the undefiled is separated from them. That it is limited to the undefiled — this principle is beyond dispute. Hence the text immediately above the present passage in the commentary interprets it in this way. Furthermore, just below in the commentary (it says): "The nature of wisdom has existed from beginningless time. In the causal stage it is called the 'non-empty Tathāgata-garbha'; in the resultant stage it is called 'great enlightenment (*daibodai*)'" (etc.). The intent of this interpretation is to limit (the referent) to the undefiled (as can be seen). However, with regard to the interpretation in the present commentary: the text immediately above has already interpreted (it) as limited to the undefiled, and the wording is not extensive. One cannot say it extends to the defiled. Therefore, the intent of the present interpretation is this: in the context of the eighth consciousness (*dai-hachi-shiki*), which fully possesses both defiled and undefiled seeds of two kinds, because (the mind) develops habitual conditioning toward undefiled dharmas, it is called the "non-empty Tathāgata-garbha." The import is that, among all that it fully possesses, because of developing habitual conditioning toward undefiled dharmas, (the name "non-empty Tathāgata-garbha" is applied). Thus there is no fault.
The commentary says: "The defiled eighth consciousness is called 'empty-treasury' (*kūzō*) because of its illusory nature. The undefiled seeds (*muro shoshuji*) within the consciousness are called the 'non-empty Tathāgata-garbha' because they are separated from illusion" (etc.).
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**Question:** In the sūtra it is said: "In the ten grounds beginning with Joyful (*Kangi*, *Muditā*), ten kinds of obstacles (*jū-shō no shō*) are eliminated" (etc.). If that is so, is the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings (*rigujō-shō*) eliminated
### [Lower Section]
at the first ground, or at the second ground? We present both sides.
If it is eliminated at the second ground: when one eliminates the two obstacles of discrimination (*funbetsu ni-shō*) and enters the holy nature (*shōshō*), separating from (worldly) birth (*rishō*), one obtains the co-extensive compassion (*dōtai jihi*) and gains freedom (*jizai*) in benefiting sentient beings. Eliminating the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings should certainly be an attainment of the first ground. Moreover, looking at the direct text of the sūtra, it says: "Depending on the mind of the first ground, the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings is removed" (etc.). Based on this, the interpretation of the Korean master Hŭng (*Sinra Kōhōshi*) follows the sūtra text as it stands. However, if that is the case, restlessness and regret (*jōke*) — the obstacle of the nature of ordinary beings (*ijōshō-shō*) — is eliminated at the first ground. If the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings is additionally eliminated at (the first ground), then among the subsequent nine grounds, might there be a ground at which no obstacle is eliminated? Hence the Venerable Zizhou (*Sōshū Daishi*) and Master Shōzō (*Shōshō-shi*) have both judged that it is eliminated at the Stainless Ground (*Rigu-chi*, the second ground). With neither side being clear, how (should this be understood)?
**Personal view:** The text of the sūtra allows for different interpretations, and it is difficult to grasp its intent. However, in the interpretation of Zizhou (Daishi), while it is true that co-extensive compassion is obtained at the first ground, with respect to the matter of benefiting sentient beings, (the capacity) cannot extend to the second ground. The reason for this is: when one completes the pāramitā of precepts (*kai-haramitsu*) and eliminates the obstacle of misconduct (*jagyō-shō*), one separates from wrongful actions of the three karmas (*sangō no gogon*) and causes no harm or distress (*sonnō*) to sentient beings. The first ground does not have this qualification — how could it eliminate (this obstacle)? Moreover, when eleven obstacles are established for the ten grounds and the Buddha stage, if the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings is not the obstacle of the second ground, there arises the fault of having insufficient obstacles (to fill all eleven). There would have to be a ground at which no obstacle is eliminated. However, regarding the passage "depending on the mind of the first ground, removing the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings": because this obstacle is *subdued* (*fuku*) at the first ground, one enters the second ground and actually (*shōdan*) eliminates it. "Depending on the mind of the first ground" indicates *subduing* (*fuku-dō*, the path of suppression); "removing the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings" refers to *actual elimination* (*shō-dan*, the path of severance). There is deep import in the sūtra text, and other masters may not have understood this. The meaning is that through the power of the preceding path, one subdues the obstacle of the subsequent ground.
## Page Nineteen
### [Upper Section]
([Colophon note:] This is the intent of the interpretation favoring principle (*junri no shaku*), one of the two interpretations in the commentary.)
**Further inquiry:** The present interpretation favoring principle (*junri shaku*) is not entirely clear. That the phrase "depending on the mind of the first ground" indicates the path of suppression (*fuku-dō*) is, in one respect, plausible. Next, (the phrase) "obtaining entry into the second ground, and within this ground removing the obstacle of not causing distress (*fu-hyōnō-shō*)" — "this ground" (*kono chi*) refers to the second ground above. If it refers to the (second ground) above, then removing the obstacle of not causing distress is unquestionably the second ground's (task). Seen in this light, should removing the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings belong to the first ground? Moreover, if "within this ground" (*sono chi no naka ni*) does not belong to the next-above (ground), then in the lower (passage) "entering the ten grounds, within this ground," "within this ground" would perhaps need to be attributed to the subsequent Buddha-ground. If so, could it be said that the obstacles of the Buddha-fruit cannot be eliminated by the wisdom of the causal stage? Next, "(the obstacle of) seeing the true and conventional" (*shinzoku shō*) should be the obstacle of the fifth ground, because at the fifth ground one practices unified contemplation of the true and conventional (*shinzoku gōkan*). The intent of this interpretation is that it should belong to the obstacle of the sixth ground. This too is one point of doubt. The obstacle of "not seeing the characteristic of cessation" (*fuken-metsusō-shō*) and the obstacle of "not seeing the characteristic of arising" (*fuken-shōsō-shō*) should be further investigated.
**Reconciliation:** "Within this ground" should be understood in the same way as "depending on the mind of the first ground" — meaning "depending on the mind of the second ground, subduing it." Who has said that "the second ground" refers to a subsequent ground? Hence, even if the text "within this ground, removing the obstacle of discernment (*shochiē-shō*)" appears (later in the passage), it should not be taken as a refutation. Next, regarding "(the obstacle of) seeing the true and conventional," the commentary contains two interpretations — one should cite and consult them.
**Further inquiry:** The obstacle of not wishing to act for the benefit of others (*rita-chū-fuyoku-gyō-shō*) is eliminated at the ninth ground. Why is the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings (*rigujō-shō*) eliminated at the second ground?
### [Lower Section]
**Personal view:** This can be reconciled by means of the principle of coarse-and-subtle, shallow-and-deep (*sosaisen-shin no gi*).
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**Question:** In the commentary of the present fascicle, clarifying the obstacles eliminated at the ten grounds, two interpretations are given: one favoring principle (*junri*) and one favoring text (*junmon*). In that case, how does the commentary master (*sōshu*) interpret the obstacle eliminated at the ninth ground?
**Response:** The commentary interprets the text of the ancient translation (*kotyaku*) of the sūtra as follows: at the first ground, the obstacle of restlessness-and-regret (*jōke-shō*) is eliminated, and so on through to the tenth ground, where the obstacle of knowables (*shochi-shō*) is broken. (The commentary) conceals the ninth ground's obstacle — the "obstacle of not wishing to act for the benefit of others" — and does not discuss it, it is said.
Regarding this: the fact that multiple avenues of interpretation have been prepared accords with the convergence of meaning and principle (*gidō sōjun*). Yet looking at the text of the ancient translation (*koyaku*) of the sūtra, it reads: "At the first ground, the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings is removed; ... at the ninth ground, the obstacle of the six supernormal powers (*roktsū-shō*) is broken; at the tenth ground, the obstacle of knowables is separated from." (etc.) The matter of assigning one obstacle to each of the ten grounds is already as clear as a bright mirror in the sūtra text. To forcibly conceal the ninth ground's obstacle in one's interpretation is, I fear, an interpretation that goes beyond the text. Even if it does not represent the true meaning one holds (*shozon no jitsugī*), in one respect how does it accord with the text? That it constitutes an interpretation "favoring the text" (*junmon no shaku*) is not clear. How (should this be understood)?
**Personal view:** Indeed this difficulty is hard to resolve. Attempting a provisional reconciliation: looking at that sūtra text, it reads: "Depending on the first ground, (one) extracts the obstacle to benefit (*rieki-shō*); having extracted the obstacle to benefit, one obtains entry into the second ground" (etc.). The import is: having eliminated the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings at the first ground, one enters the second ground. In the sūtra text, the first ground appears to be the actual path of severance (*shō-nōdan-dō*) for the obstacle to benefiting sentient beings. How then can (the first ground's path) be called the path of suppression (*fuku-dō*)? The elimination of the obstacle comes first, and the ground one enters comes after (as the text appears to show). Therefore, likewise below: "breaking through the characteristic of non-seeing arising (*fuken-shōsō*), having broken through it, (one) enters the ninth ground" — the elimination of the obstacle of non-seeing the characteristic of arising belongs to the preceding ground, the eighth, while "entering the ninth ground" belongs to the subsequent ground. The obstacle of non-seeing the characteristic of arising is not eliminated at the ninth ground. Likewise, the obstacle of the six supernormal powers is not eliminated at the ninth ground.