觀音義疏記 4.6

4.6

Question: In the prose above, when seeking freedom from the three poisons, one constantly mindfulness of Avalokiteśvara. The Commentary says: “Constant mindfulness is indeed right mindfulness; it is fully realizing that the afflictions are none other than the true reality, with neither subject nor object.” Why do the verses now say “be mindful of that Avalokiteśvara”? Since “this” and “that” are distinguished, how can subject and object be forgotten? Answer: The wondrous perfect teaching cannot be sought through ordinary sentiment. Though the texts seem contradictory, their meaning converges on a single principle: it is because difference is taught precisely in the undifferentiated, so how could difference be separate from the undifferentiated? When the present text says “that”, the meaning applies in two directions. If considered from the perspective of the Buddha's preaching, Avalokiteśvara is “that”, which distinguishes “this” and “that” in terms of master and disciple. If considered from the perspective of sentient beings being mindful of that Avalokiteśvara, this distinguishes “this” and “that” in terms of stimulus and response. When expounded by the wondrous teaching, master and disciple, stimulus and response, are all the dharmadhātu, each perfectly integrated. Sentient beings stimulate that Buddha within their own minds; the Buddhas respond back to those beings within their own minds. When practitioners of this teaching encounter suffering and difficulties and are mindful of that Avalokiteśvara, how could it mean that the subject of mindfulness is separate from the object of mindfulness? It is because they know that all is the dharmadhātu. One fully realizes that that Avalokiteśvara is inherently present in the very thought itself; since one knows this is present in the very thought, what subject and object could there be? Therefore, although “this” and “that” are distinguished, both subject and object are utterly eliminated. Hence, though the verse text says “be mindful of that”, it does not contradict the right mindfulness discussed above in the slightest.