妙法蓮華經玄義 5.48

5.48

From the first abidance upward, function is discussed in general terms: if the vertical effort is not yet deep, the horizontal function is not wide; if the vertical effort is deep, the horizontal function must be wide. This is just like trees: when the roots are deep, the branches are broad, and flowers and leaves are also abundant. At the first abidance, one vertically shatters one portion of fundamental ignorance, acquires one portion of the twenty-five samādhis, and reveals one portion of the nature of the self. In terms of its real place, it is inconceivable, yet according to the doctrinal gateway, horizontally one multiplies bodies and casts reflections across a hundred buddha worlds, manifesting the images of the ten dharma realms to benefit and bless sentient beings. Vertically entering stage by stage in this way, it progressively deepens twofold: fundamental ignorance gradually comes to an end, samādhis continuously increase, the nature of the self is revealed portion by portion, and the horizontal function gradually widens. Across a thousand buddha worlds, ten thousand buddha worlds, Ganges-sands of buddha worlds, and inexpressible-inexpressible numbers of buddha worlds—pervading such worlds, one accomplishes the way through the eight phases and teaches and transforms sentient beings, to say nothing of bodily forms in the remaining nine dharma realms! The various practices and the various stages are also like this. In terms of its complete fulfillment, only a buddha together with a buddha can thoroughly fathom the source of fundamental ignorance. Therefore the sūtra says: "Just as there is no fundamental ignorance within the mind of a buddha, only a buddha, the Dharma King, abides in the sovereign samādhi of ultimate completion. The dharma-kāya of Vairocana horizontally encompasses the dharma realm and vertically reaches the culmination of bodhi, with great effort fully perfected and superior function completely endowed" (and so forth).