華嚴經探玄記 1.19

1.19

First, explaining the three baskets: The first is called sūtra, also termed *xiuduluo*, or *sudalan*; here translated as 'tallying scripture' (*qijing*). 'Tallying' (*qi*) has two senses: tallying with principle and fitting the faculties. 'Scripture' (*jing*) also has two senses: stringing together the characteristics of dharmas and holding together those who are transformed. As for 'stringing together,' Vasubandhu explains: because it can string together the basis, the characteristic, the dharma, and the meaning, it is called *sūtra*. That is, in such a place, due to this, and for the sake of this something was spoken—this is called the 'basis.' The characteristics of the ultimate and conventional truths are called 'characteristics.' Dharmas such as the ten skills are called 'dharmas.' Preaching the dharmas in accord with secret intent and so forth is called 'meaning.' Furthermore, Asvabhāva explains it as 'stringing together and sewing together.' The explanation says: 'stringing together' is the sense of penetrating into, and 'sewing together' is the sense of fitting together. That is, by means of holy words one strings together the meaning and principle so that they are neither scattered and lost nor concealed and vanished, and sews and joins them so that they form an expression and endure for a long time. The *Buddhabhūmi-vyākhyāna* says: 'Because it can string together and hold together, it is called *jing*. Because the holy teaching of the Buddha strings together and holds together the meanings that should be taught and the living beings who are to be transformed, it is called *qijing*.' 'A scripture that tallies with principle' is a genitive compound (*tatpuruṣa*); 'the tallying scripture itself is the basket' is an appositional compound (*karmadhāraya*). Furthermore, the *Saṃyuktābhidharma-hṛdaya* gives five meanings: (1) welling spring, (2) issuing lord, (3) displaying, (4) marking cord, and (5) woven garland. The literal translation is 'thread' (*xian*); why then is it called 'scripture' (*jing*)? Because a thread can string flowers together, and the warp threads (*jing*) can hold the woof; their function and sense are similar. But because this country honors the term *jing* and does not value the designation 'thread,' the translators followed what was esteemed, discarding 'thread' and preserving *jing*, establishing the name based on the metaphor.