仁王般若經疏 2.90

2.90

From "this person will surpass" onward is the second [part], explaining and praising the function of the sūtra. The second part, praising its benefit to exhort to cultivation, is concluded. The third, from "at that time, among the assemblies" onward, is the great assembly gaining benefit upon hearing the Dharma and scattering flowers as an offering. The text has three [parts]: first, the bodhisattvas rejoicing and making offerings; the fourteen patiences are named the fourteen correct practices; second, the eighteen Brahmā heavens rejoicing and making offerings; third, from "immeasurable ghosts and spirits" onward, explaining the offerings made by ghosts and spirits, omitting the offerings of the other assemblies. As for the "eighteen Brahmās": the first dhyāna has three, namely, 1. Brahmā-pāriṣadya, 2. Brahmā-purohita, and 3. Mahābrahmā. The second dhyāna has three: 1. Parīttābha, 2. Apramāṇābha, and 3. Ābhāsvara. The third dhyāna has three: 1. Parīttaśubha, 2. Śubhakṛtsna, and 3. Apramāṇaśubha. The fourth dhyāna has nine: 1. Puṇyaprasava, 2. Anabhraka, and 3. Bṛhatphala—ordinary beings and nobles dwell together in these three heavens; 4. Asañjñisattva, in which only non-Buddhist ordinary beings dwell; 5. Avṛha, 6. Atapa, 7. Sudṛśa, 8. Sudarśana, and 9. Akaniṣṭha—only noble ones such as anāgamins dwell in these five. Only the fourth dhyāna has material realms, hence they are called the eighteen Brahmās, not speaking of the formless realm. As for "ghosts and spirits in their present bodies practiced": because of their cultivation of reverence in the past, they were enabled to practice prajñā; because they broke the precepts, they fell among ghosts. The reply to the second question explaining the marks of practice benefiting others is concluded.