[The understanding of twelvefold conditioned co-arising in the Distinct Teaching is that] if ignorance is the condition, marks arise due to this condition, rebirth is due to these [causal] marks, and there is destruction due to rebirth.⁴⁴⁴ [Nirvāṇa/Buddhahood is] pure because conditions are extinguished; it is selfhood because marks are removed; it is bliss because rebirth is exhausted; it is eternal because it has no destruction.

The Mūlamadhyamakakārika says, “Dharmas which arise through conditioned co-arising … are also called ‘conventional designations’.”⁴⁴⁵ The Pañcaviṃśati-sāhasrikā-prajn͂āpāramitā Sūtra calls these twelve links of dependent co-arising “the dharma of the pratyekabuddha.”⁴⁴⁶ The Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra says that “one attains the burning flame [of Anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi] by extinguishing ignorance.”⁴⁴⁷ This Lotus Sūtra says that “this a ‘large tree’ which will continue to grow.”⁴⁴⁸ Compared to the previous [understandings] this is “subtle,” but compared to the next [understanding] this is “crude.”

444

See the discussion of the Distinct Teaching in the previous section with the exposition on the four categories of conditions, causes, rebirth, and destruction based on the Ratnagotravibhāga. return

445

This is a paraphrase of the first and third lines of the Mūlamadhyamakakārika 24: 18 verse. return

446

See, for example, the Ta Chih tu lun [The Treatise on the Great Prajñāpāramitā]. return

447

This phrase from the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra is quoted often by Chih-i, such as in the Mo ho chih kuan [The Great Calming And Contemplation]. The context reads, “Why does the Tathāgata ask about conditioned co-arising? The World-Honored One also has causes and conditions. Due to [the cause of] extinguishing ignorance he attains the burning light of Anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi.” return

448

Hurvitz, Lotus Sūtra, 109, translates the context as follows:

Again, there are those who dwell in dhyāna;
Who gain the strength of supernatural penetration;
Who, hearing of the emptiness of the dharmas,
At heart are overjoyed;
Who, emitting numberless rays,
Ferry across the living beings
These are called “great trees,”
Which gain in growth. return