仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經疏 2.69

2.69

Exposition: This adduces a metaphor to make a comparison. As for "the sands of the Ganges," in the new translation it is the Gaṅgā River. There is much sand in the river; one takes great thousand worlds numbering each single grain of sand. These worlds as numerous as the sands are filled with the seven jewels, distinguished as usual. "And bestow them in charity so that all sentient beings of the great thousand worlds" shows the vastness of the giving. With the precious seven jewels of these worlds as numerous as the sands, one bestows them in charity upon every single sentient being among the six destinies and four modes of birth in the great thousand worlds, giving equally to all; therefore, the sūtra speaks generally of "all sentient beings." "All attain the fruit of arhatship" means that they attain a supreme fruit. Those who receive the giving—all those sentient beings—arouse the mind of the śrāvaka and practice conduct for self-benefit. According to the older sūtra, it says "they attain the seven worthy states and four fruits"; here it directly mentions the superior, saying "the fruit of arhatship," revealing the most supreme fruit among the outcomes of what is given. Next is the second: revealing the supremacy of faithful reception.