英語訳
[Page 118]
[Upper section]
These are the practices of the Truth.
"Through the practices of the Truth of Suffering as the gate to enter truth": Within observing the Four Truths as distant observation, there are two categories. First is general emptiness and non-self, second is particular emptiness and non-self. Generally observing the Four Truths is called general emptiness and non-self. This was clarified in the previous section - the sixteen characteristics. Particularly observing the Truth of Suffering is called particular emptiness and non-self. Therefore the treatise says "particular emptiness and non-self belongs to the Truth of Suffering." This is what is clarified in the present section. Generally observing the Four Truths is called comprehensive; particularly observing the Truth of Suffering is called limited. All enter the gate of truth.
Regarding "preparatory observation for entering the path of seeing, therefore entering truth": In the preparatory observation for entering the path of seeing, one enters by observing two emptinesses and one reality. The character "only" in "not only observing suffering" should be questioned. Perhaps they observe simultaneously? This should be considered further.
"In what is not suffering, etc., therefore explained as non-existent": To break attachment to birth and death, the Buddha explains suffering when it is not suffering, but śrāvakas and others do not understand such words as suffering and give rise to attachment. Now again to break this, he explains that suffering, accumulation, etc. are non-existent.
"Dependent nature is definitely not real characteristics of suffering and accumulation, therefore both are non-existent": Why is the character "definitely" placed above? Does it mean definitely not real characteristics of suffering and accumulation? Those distinctions refer to the distinctions of suffering and accumulation. Therefore both perfected nature and dependent nature lack these.
"Therefore in the fifth bhūmi, defilement and purity obstacles are eliminated": This observation is Four Truth observation. The commentary text cited in the previous dependent origination section explains this same meaning. That should be consulted. Since the Four Truths are observed within dependent origination, it is the same matter.
[Lower section]
Coarse characteristics are eliminated in the sixth [bhūmi], subtle characteristics are eliminated in the seventh. Now coarse characteristics are attached to the Four Truths, while subtle characteristics belong to dependent origination. These are obstacle characteristics. Coarse characteristics are distinguished within true characteristics. Defilement refers to contaminated [dharmas]. The two truths of cessation and path: suffering and accumulation are contaminated cause and effect; cessation and path are uncontaminated cause and effect.
The sutra says: "There is also no attainment."
The commentary says regarding bodhisattva close observation: The skillful means of no-wisdom and no-attainment is bodhisattva close observation.
"What can prove the path is called wisdom, what is attained is also empty": In the conventional gate, what can prove is called wisdom, what is proven is called attainment. In the ultimate gate, since there is no proving wisdom, there is also no proven attainment.
"As the contract sutra says regarding pāramitā dharmas": This presents bodhisattva close observation. The six pāramitā practices are each cultivated through no-wisdom, no-attainment observation. The sutra text serves as evidence. Its meaning is profound. The following text explains its basis.
"Only speaking of no-wisdom, no-attainment, because it is explained comprehensively": This properly explains cultivating the pāramitās through no-wisdom, no-attainment skillful means. Because no-wisdom, no-attainment is comprehensively explained regarding all six pāramitās.
"If dharmas were not empty, what attainment would there be later?": If there were dharmas in the ultimate gate, there could be wisdom and attainment. Since there are none, it is called no-wisdom, no-attainment.
"Therefore the Great Sutra says even bodhi is empty": This is textual evidence for no-wisdom, no-attainment. "All wisdom is empty" means no-wisdom; "up to unsurpassed bodhi is empty" means no-attainment.
[Page 119]
[Upper section]
Regarding "those who should respond also have no-wisdom, no-attainment": Two-emptiness, one-reality observation is the close observation that properly enters truth. Therefore it is called no-wisdom, no-attainment. No-wisdom, no-attainment refers to consciousness-only observation. The Lamp states: "This refers to the three vehicles also having no-wisdom, no-attainment. But regarding the Mahāyāna alone, consciousness-only observation is made." For the two vehicles and others, since non-characteristic is taught first to eliminate attachments, no-wisdom, no-attainment is particularly explained. For the Mahāyāna, since dependent and perfected natures are preserved, consciousness-only is taught. Therefore one enters truth through consciousness-only observation.
"As a verse says 'consciousness arises with no attainment'": This cites textual evidence. The upper two lines are observation of no-object-grasping. The lower two lines are observation of no-subject-object. Thus one enters the path of seeing. This is observation at the preparatory stage.
"In non-discriminating wisdom, all is non-existent": This clarifies the characteristics of the true path of seeing stage. Mind refers to fundamental wisdom. Object refers to suchness. Mysterious union means the meaning of no separation, like moonlight merging with empty space. The suchness at that time is the nature of wisdom. All things return to wisdom and see this wisdom-nature. It contains all the nature-meanings of myriad things.
"In subsequently attained wisdom, also separating from two graspings": This clarifies the path of seeing through characteristics. Regarding two graspings, there are two categories. First, having attachment is called grasping. Second, general subject-object cognition is called grasping. "Now also separating from two graspings" refers to the former two attachments, because there are two graspings like illusions. "Before non-discriminating wisdom, subject-grasping and object-grasping are all non-existent" means calling general subject-object cognition "grasping" because two graspings do not manifest. However, the two graspings that preparatory wisdom eliminates are also called grasping. Nevertheless, in the stage of actual realization, although illusion-like two graspings exist, they do not manifest.
[Lower section]
"Again a verse says 'the nature of no-attainment is equal'": This clarifies that subsequently attained wisdom separates from two graspings, observes what fundamental wisdom realizes, and the matter of principle and wisdom mysteriously uniting. By awakening to characteristics-only consciousness, one finishes awakening that substantial existence of objects has no characteristics. Therefore it says "through consciousness existing, it becomes attainment-nature, and also becomes no-attainment." Pointing out and knowing what fundamental wisdom realizes, it says "therefore know that two have attainment, the nature of no-attainment is equal."
"Attachment seeds in other stages, again speaking of no-attainment": Other stages refers to preparatory stages. Although this stage subdues manifest attachments, attachment seeds are not yet severed. Therefore although warming and peak stages observe no-object-grasping, they still do not observe clearly. Although the forbearance stage observes no-subject-grasping, it still does not observe clearly. Therefore by observing no-wisdom, no-attainment, one enters the path of seeing. "Also obstructing two graspings regarding both dharmas": Obstructing two graspings regarding wisdom, obstructing two graspings regarding attainment. This labels it. Next is the proper explanation.
"Separately obstructing two graspings, because of the capacity for illumination and severance": This extensively explains obstructing two graspings regarding both dharmas. The character "separately" should encompass the phrase "obstructing having wonderful functions" below. "Obstructing two graspings regarding attainment" means obstructing capable-attainer and attained. This is general subject-object grasping. All are attached aspects. What is obstructed in the warming and peak stages. "Obstructing two graspings regarding wisdom" means obstructing the wonderful functions of wisdom's illumination and severance. This means illumination is realizing principle, severance is cutting off delusions. This is the illuminating and severing capacity of contemplating wisdom in the forbearance stage. When these are grasped as real, since all attached characteristics are non-existent, it says "no-wisdom and also no-attainment." This is discussed temporarily regarding preparatory stages, but actually applies universally. Above it only mentioned wonderful functions without revealing the meaning of two graspings. Therefore below it says "because of the capacity for illumination and severance," revealing the essence of those two graspings. These two graspings are not general ones.