妙法蓮華經文句 2.128

2.128

Next are listed the four kiṃnaras, also called *kiṃdhara*, translated here as "doubtful spirits"; resembling humans yet possessing a single horn, they are therefore designated "man-non-man". They are the devendra's spirits of Dharma music, dwelling on the Ten Jewel Mountains; whenever there is an extraordinary event on their bodies, they ascend to present music. When the Buddha preaches the Dharma, the devas play strings, sing, and play the pañcāṅgika to praise the Dharma approaches. Formerly it was said: "Dharma Kiṃnara performs the Four Noble Truths, Wondrous Kiṃnara performs the twelve links of dependent origination, Great Kiṃnara performs the six pāramitās, and Holding Kiṃnara performs all three together." Now it is said that they perform the Dharma approaches of the four teachings. Originally abiding in the inconceivable, without arising from the concentration of cessation they serenely meditate with palms joined, praising all Dharma Kings with tens of thousands of verses, while their traces rely on strings and pipes to sing of the ten powers. As for contemplation: contemplating sound as empty, provisional, and middle, according with the three truths, is itself praising the Buddha.