華嚴經探玄記 1.26

1.26

Second, within the bodhisattva pitaka, according with the various holy teachings, there are also three classes: First, the bodhisattva pitaka within the Hīnayāna. This refers to expounding that the bodhisattva attains Buddhahood sequentially on the basis of the thirty-four minds and the like, without discussing the practices and stages of the ten bhūmis, yet still differing from the śrāvakas and others, as expounded in the Mahāvibhāṣā and the Abhidharmakośa. Second, the bodhisattva pitaka within the common teaching of the Mahāyāna. This refers to expounding the sequential practices and stages of the bodhisattva: although there are differences between turning one's mind and proceeding directly, both rely on the layout of the ten bhūmis to gradually cultivate toward the Buddha fruit, as expounded in the Bodhisattvabhūmi of the Yogācārabhūmi and in various Mahāyāna sūtras and treatises. Third, the bodhisattva pitaka within the uncommon teaching. This expounds that the bodhisattva relies on the practices and stages of Samantabhadra, wherein the five stages are perfectly interpenetrating; that is, one stage is all stages, one practice is all practices, perfectly culminating in the unobstructed freedom of the dharmadhātu, equal from beginning to end; upon the fulfillment of each individual stage, one immediately becomes a ten-bodied Buddha, completely endowed with host and retinue. Therefore, the Dà zhìdù lùn states: 'Prajñāpāramitā has two [types]: first, the common, referring to this Pañcaviṃśati-sāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra and other vaipulya sūtras, because they are expounded in common with the śrāvakas; second, the uncommon, referring to the Inconceivable Sūtra, because it is not expounded in common with the śrāvakas.' The explanation says: Here, the small of the common Mahāyāna is not foolish in the Dharma; the great of the common Hīnayāna is not the distinct teaching; therefore, there are three bodhisattva pitakas. Question: Since the two pitakas of bodhisattva and śrāvaka are distinct, those two kinds of persons each separately attain their fruition. Since three stages are differentiated in the bodhisattva pitaka, the three kinds of bodhisattvas should each separately attain Buddhahood. Answer: Attaining Buddhahood is only one; but faculties have shallowness and depth, and the teaching expounds three classes; it does not mean that the essence of attaining Buddhahood actually has three. Now it is divided according to the teachings, not with respect to the Buddha's essence. Question: If all three expositions accord with principle, the Buddha's essence would also become three; if the principle of attaining Buddhahood is one, two of the expositions would be false. Answer: In the one attainment of Buddhahood, three meanings are comprehensively present: First, the approach of following the branch from the root, as expounded in the Hīnayāna, because it is identical with the śrāvaka. Second, the approach of opening the root to differentiate the branch, as expounded in the common teaching, because it is contrasted with the śrāvaka to discern differences. Third, the approach where the branches are exhausted and only the root remains, as expounded in the uncommon teaching, because the two vehicles are deaf and blind, having nothing with which to contrast and differentiate. The Buddha's essence perfectly interpenetrates and possesses these three meanings; therefore, the three expositions each differ, while the Buddha has no multiplicity. Hence, there are these three classes within the present bodhisattva pitaka.