華嚴經探玄記 4.9

4.9

In the first, it is traditionally said: the Hall of Universal Light is about three li southeast of the bodhi tree, inside a bend of the Nairañjanā River. When the Buddha first attained enlightenment, the nāgas saw the Buddha sitting exposed beneath the tree, and thereupon constructed this Dharma hall for the Buddha, truly because nāgas mostly make offerings by providing shelter and covering. Moreover, because the hall is close to the tree, it is adduced together with the site [of awakening]. Furthermore, relying on this sūtra, the bodhi tree is taken as the root, and other places are all not apart from this. In addition, the "first attaining [enlightenment]" here is explained with respect to the Dharma of faith. The Padmagarbha is the opening of the practice of faith, departing from defilement and gathering virtues, inferred in terms of dharmas. Furthermore, in the Mahāsaṃnipāta Sūtra, because bodhisattvas attained the lotus dhāraṇī, wherever they preach the Dharma there is always a lotus seat. The remaining meanings are all identical to the previous explanation.