觀音玄義記 1.3

1.3

"Profound Meaning of the Guanyin [Chapter]" is stated in abbreviated form; fully given, it should be called "Profound Meaning of the Samantamukha-parivarta of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva." Because in its preface and in its primary text it fully clarifies both person and Dharma, it is for now titled in abbreviation. As for "Profound Meaning," it refers to the doctrinal gateways capable of explaining [the text]. "Profound" is an appellation for what is subtle and difficult to see. "Meaning" means having a deep foundation. This is because the Great Master, through the power of samādhi, penetrated the limits of dharmatā and deeply saw the significance of the person and Dharma in the present chapter. It should be known that the five meanings including the name are all subtle, and the wisdom of persons of the seven expedient stages cannot see them. "Fascicle One": since there are two scrolls, they are distinguished as upper and lower. Next, to show the person capable of speaking [the teaching]: namely, Tiantai Zhizhe. Since it was recorded by a disciple from what was spoken, he dared not directly pronounce his Dharma taboo-name. Mount Tiantai is the place where the Great Master dwelled and entered quiescence, so by means of this place the person is revealed. As for the origin of the mountain's name, the history of his dwelling, the circumstances of his entering extinction, and the wondrous marvels after his extinction, they are fully provided in texts such as the Great Work [the Grand Chronicle], the Fuxing, and the Biechuan, so they are not related in detail here. "Zhizhe" refers to when the Sui Emperor, having sought and received the great Bodhisattva precepts, the Master said: "Your Majesty has gone out of your way to comply with the holy prohibitions; you should be titled Zongchi [Dhāraṇī]." The Emperor said: "The Bodhisattvabhūmi Sūtra says: 'One who transmits the Buddha's lamp of Dharma is a Zhizhe [Wise One].' Since the Master has transmitted the lamp, you may be titled Zhizhe." From then on, whenever memorials and letters were submitted, they all said, "The disciple Zongchi bows in reverent salutation to Zhizhe." As for "Great Master," this is a title because he was the teacher of emperors, kings, and great men; it is not like the titles of official appointments today. "Spoken" means to delight; giving rein to the eloquence of delight in speech, he delighted the disposition of marvelous awakening, distinct from those masters who merely select from sūtras and treatises, compose commentaries, and parse sūtra texts. Thus Dharma Master Daren, observing Zhizhe preaching the Dharma, sighed before the assembly: "This is not what is contained in written commentaries; it is rather observing the capacities and giving rein to eloquence. Prajñā is neither dull nor sharp; sharpness and dullness depend on conditions. Its richness suiting the occasion is its sign of sharpness; when the pond is deep and the flowers large, the dull can grasp its meaning." The recorder was the Venerable Zhang'an, whose understanding and practice were wondrous and extraordinary, and whose deeds from beginning to end are fully revealed in his original biography.