華嚴經探玄記 2.3

2.3

Regarding the first introductory section, it is divided into two: first, clarifying the introductory section in this world; second, clarifying the introductory section in the inexhaustible worlds of the ten directions. The first contains three parts: first, the initial four characters, which solely verify faith; second, from 'at one time' downward, which applies to both introductions; third, from 'the earth shook' downward, which solely initiates. If applied to what is expounded subsequently, four propositions can be made: either only verifying faith is the beginning, or only initiating is the end, or both belong to the middle, or neither belongs to the subsequent main doctrine. Furthermore, for the initial four characters, the meaning is universal while the text is localized, because the text is at the very head, whereas its meaning extends to all eight assemblies. From 'at one time' downward, the text is universal while the meaning is localized, because the subsequent assemblies all have 'at that time' and so forth, and thus the text is universal; yet here it is localized to the beginning, so its meaning is localized. Moreover, according to the Buddhabhūmi-śāstra, it is divided into five: first, generally revealing what has already been heard; second, the time when the teaching arose; third, revealing the lord of the teaching; fourth, the place where the teaching arose; fifth, the capacities addressed by the teaching. According to the Saddharmapuṇḍarīkopadeśa and so forth, there are six fulfillments: first, faith; second, hearing; third, time; fourth, lord; fifth, place; sixth, assembly.