釋摩訶衍論 9.5

9.5

The commentary says: Within this portal, there are inherently two portals. What are the two? First, the portal of brief explanation and brief indication with dhāraṇī-summary; second, the portal of broad explanation, broad indication, and detailed dissection. Within the first portal, there are five portals. What are the five? First, the portal of the differences between superior and inferior sentient beings; second, the portal of the nominal persons who can create obstacles; third, the portal of revealing the functions of the deeds they perform; fourth, the portal of revealing the practice of remedies; fifth, the portal of revealing the acquisition of benefits through the power of remedies; these are named the five. Regarding the portal of the differences between superior and inferior sentient beings: the two kinds of sentient beings are each distinct. What are the two? First, sentient beings fully endowed with causes and conditions; second, sentient beings deficient in causes and conditions. Sentient beings who are fully endowed are endowed with five things. Sentient beings who are deficient are deficient in four things. What are the five endowments? First, endowment of faith, because they have deep love and delight; second, endowment of persons, because they can guard and protect; third, endowment of the Dharma, because they can thoroughly penetrate the boundaries of heterodoxy and orthodoxy; fourth, endowment of time, because it accords with what is appropriate; fifth, endowment of nature, because they possess the true nature; these are named the five. If there are sentient beings endowed with these five things, they will never have obstacles. What are the four deficiencies? Namely, they are contrary to those prior four. If there are sentient beings who, although possessing the true nature, are deficient in these four things, they will never be free from obstacles. In this text here, one should know that it takes the deficient ones. As the root [text] says: 'There may be sentient beings who lack the power of good roots.'