妙法蓮華經玄贊 6.26

6.26

The Commentary says: The following two and a half verses are a metaphor for attachment to rules and rituals. Within this there are two parts: the first one and a half verses are a metaphor for the general functional aspect, and the following one verse is a metaphor for the specific functional aspect. This is the first. However, earlier masters in the past, lacking clear texts, mostly took the Hīnayāna to explain the aspects of precepts; now, explaining them in accordance with new texts according to the Mahāyāna meaning, students should be aware. 'Kumbhāṇḍas' are terrifying ghosts; this is a metaphor for attachment to rules and rituals. Clinging firmly to and following along with the precepts arising from various views without taking other dharmas as objects is like 'squatting on a mound of earth.' The Zilin says: 'Crouching (dun) means sitting without support.' Ju (踞) is pronounced ju-yu reverse; it means sitting firmly with hanging feet, leaning, and also crouching. Duo (埵) is pronounced ding-guo reverse, meaning the corner of a small earth heap, or hard earth. The Yupian says: 'Ding-ge reverse; a small lump piled up, also hard earth, or dust.' Some pronounce it dui (堆), meaning a heap of earth; this is incorrect. If one merely clings to the precepts as an excellent cause and generates attachment, this is called 'one foot off the ground'; clinging to the restrictions that accord with the precepts as an excellent cause and generating attachment is called 'two feet.' Or, clinging to them as supreme is like 'one foot,' and further clinging to them as the cause is like 'two feet.' Attachment to rules and rituals must possess these two aspects; otherwise, it is subsumed under wrong view. There is no need to assign them specifically to the two attachments of the higher realms, because the other afflictions are not said to be common to the higher realms. Although they adhere to seeking the supramundane result of cessation, going to be born among humans and devas is called 'going,' and sinking back into the evil destinies is called 'returning'; constantly drowning in saṃsāra and vainly exerting painful austerities is called 'wandering around'; clinging to them as supreme and turning against the correct path is called 'dissolute'; and clinging to them as the correct cause and being defiled and attached to saṃsāra is called 'playing.'