華嚴經探玄記 16.8

16.8

The second major section, from "You all should…" onward, explains the proper admonition based on the preceding. Herein it is divided into four parts: first, explaining the great benefit of repaying kindness and admonishing them to practice. Herein there are Dharma, simile, application, and conclusion—four texts which can be understood. Second, from "Devaputras, if there are sentient beings…" onward, explaining that turning one's back [on kindness] brings harm, and admonishing them to abandon it. Third, from "Devaputras, formerly you…" onward, explaining that having received great kindness in the past, they should now cultivate goodness. Fourth, from "Just as…" onward, showing them the true Dharma to admonish and cause them to train and study, which is also showing that heavenly pleasures are empty to cause them ultimately not to cling. Herein, first adducing the simile of selflessness having function illustrates the meaning that the primary and environmental retributions of heavenly reward seem to exist but are actually non-existent. The implements of the five desires and so forth are the environmental retribution; the five aggregates and so forth explain the primary retribution. Because dependent origination is free of purposeful action, existence is immediately and constantly empty; hence there is neither arising nor ceasing. From "If it is thus…" onward, it concludes the concentration that breaks attachment.