妙法蓮華經文句 1.49

1.49

In terms of the teachings: Joyful Ānanda had a face like a pure full moon and eyes like blue lotuses; personally receiving the Buddha's intention was like looking up at an intact vessel, and transmitting it to convert people was like pouring it into a different vase. This is transmitting what has been heard, the dharma of hearing. Joyful Sage, dwelling in the stage of training, attained emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness, with his sense faculties such as eyes, ears, nose, and tongue being free of outflows; this is transmitting the dharma of hearing what was not heard. Canon-Master Ānanda contained and received much, like a great cloud holding rain; this is transmitting the dharma of non-hearing that is hearing. Ānanda the Ocean is a man of extensive learning, naturally able to understand what is permanent and impermanent; if one knows that the Tathāgata constantly preaches no dharma, this is called a bodhisattva possessing full, extensive learning—the waters of the great ocean of the Buddha's Dharma flow into Ānanda's mind. This is transmitting the dharma of non-hearing that is non-hearing. The present sūtra is Ānanda the Ocean, holding the subtle Dharma of non-hearing and non-hearing.