華嚴經探玄記 4.9

4.9

初中相傳：普光堂在菩提樹東南可三里許熙連河曲內，佛初成道，諸龍見佛樹下露坐，遂為佛造此法堂，良以諸龍多為陰覆供養故耳。又以堂近樹，故與場同舉。又依此經，以菩提樹為本，餘處皆不離此也。又此中初始得者，約信法辨之。蓮華藏者，信行開敷離染攝德，約法准之。又《大集經》中菩薩得蓮華陀羅尼故，凡說法處皆有蓮華座。餘義竝同前釋。

In the first, it is traditionally said: the Hall of Universal Light is about three li southeast of the bodhi tree, inside a bend of the Nairañjanā River. When the Buddha first attained enlightenment, the nāgas saw the Buddha sitting exposed beneath the tree, and thereupon constructed this Dharma hall for the Buddha, truly because nāgas mostly make offerings by providing shelter and covering. Moreover, because the hall is close to the tree, it is adduced together with the site [of awakening]. Furthermore, relying on this sūtra, the bodhi tree is taken as the root, and other places are all not apart from this. In addition, the "first attaining [enlightenment]" here is explained with respect to the Dharma of faith. The Padmagarbha is the opening of the practice of faith, departing from defilement and gathering virtues, inferred in terms of dharmas. Furthermore, in the Mahāsaṃnipāta Sūtra, because bodhisattvas attained the lotus dhāraṇī, wherever they preach the Dharma there is always a lotus seat. The remaining meanings are all identical to the previous explanation.