仁王護國般若經疏 2.36

2.36

From "nine Brahmā" down, the second explains the place. In this sūtra, three manuscripts differ: one manuscript says, "There are further myriad myriad billions of the eighteen Brahmā heavens: nine Brahmā, three purity, three light, and five joy-and-pleasure heavens." Another manuscript merely says, "three purity, three light, and five joy-and-pleasure heavens." Yet another manuscript omits the word "five," initially omits the four words "eighteen Brahmā heavens," and later only has the word "three" without the word "Brahmā"; this is simply variations across translators. The "nine Brahmā" refers to the nine heavens of the fourth dhyāna: first, Cloudless; second, Arising of Merit; third, Broad Fruit; fourth, Non-perception; fifth, No Torment; sixth, No Heat; seventh, Skillful Appearance; eighth, Skillful Vision; and ninth, Akaniṣṭha (Ultimate Form). The "three purity" is the third dhyāna, which has three heavens, namely Limited Purity, Immeasurable Purity, and Universal Purity. The "three light" is the second dhyāna, which has three heavens, namely Limited Light, Immeasurable Light, and Light-Sound. The "three Brahmā" refers to the first dhyāna, three heavens: Brahmā-pāriṣadya, Mahābrahmā, and Brahmā-purohita. The "five joy-and-pleasure heavens" are the five factors, namely investigation, examination, joy, pleasure, and one-pointedness of mind. As for the latter five pure [heavens] in the fourth dhyāna, these heavens are conceptually discussed as experiencing joy and pleasure, and so forth.