釋摩訶衍論 7.20

7.20

Having explained the portal of giving rise to wholesome roots and causing them to increase, next is explained the portal of vows that are boundless and impartial. What meaning does this portal clarify? It is intended to show that the practitioner should give rise to an ocean of vast vows as numerous as the dust motes of the worlds in the ten directions, cultivate an ocean of causal practices as numerous as the dust motes of the worlds in the ten directions, gather an ocean of sentient beings as numerous as the dust motes of the worlds in the ten directions, and accomplish an ocean of fulfilled fruitions as numerous as the dust motes of the worlds in the ten directions, all entirely without remainder. Thus the original [text] states: 'Fourth, the skillful means of great and impartial vows, which refers to making vows to transform and cross over all sentient beings to the end of the future so that none remain, causing all of them to ultimately attain nirvāṇa without remainder.' As for 'because of according with the uninterrupted nature of dharmas,' this summarizes its conditions. From this point downward, the marks of excellent accordance are shown. For what reason are all four portals in their conclusions uniformly called 'according with the nature of dharmas'? It is intended to show that the nature of dharmas is like space: its essential nature is vast, perfect, and boundless; its characteristics and functions are unhindered, sovereign, and without beginning or end. All practitioners who cultivate those four portals are also like this, accordant and like reality, because their āśaya is vast, perfect, and without boundaries. Thus the original [text] states: 'Because the nature of dharmas is vast, pervasively present in all sentient beings, impartial and non-dual, not thinking of this or that, and ultimately quiescent.'