華嚴經探玄記 18.30

18.30

Seventh, perfectly subsuming beginning and end: this means that within the distinct stages of these assemblies, each and every one subsumes all gates; therefore, a single stage contains fifty-five and one hundred and ten, as well as kṣetra-dusts, and so forth. Just as one is so, all are likewise, and it should be understood as repeating layer upon layer; it is only to express distinctions by entrusting to dharma-stages that they are arranged before and after. This can be understood upon reflection. Question: If one already possesses all, why must Sudhana extensively traverse all the stages? Answer: What he traverses is entirely the all within the one; therefore, it does not depart from the one. Question: If it is the all within the one, attaining the one means having attained it; why does he need to traverse further? Answer: Attaining the one is precisely traversing the many; therefore, simultaneously there is no obstruction. This can be understood upon reflection.