華嚴經探玄記 5.31

5.31

First, explaining the title: "Bodhisattva" is the person; "ten abodes" is the teaching (dharma). It is called "abode" because one attains non-retrogression in stage. The teaching of the abodes should be complete, and following [the principle] ten are spoken, which is an explanation retaining the number (saṃkhyā-tatpuruṣa). Furthermore, these teachings of the abodes are possessed by the bodhisattva, which is a bahuvrīhi compound. Furthermore, the abodes of the bodhisattva is a genitive tatpuruṣa compound. Furthermore, the bodhisattva is the abodes, which is a karmadhāraya compound. Question: Previously, for the outer ordinary beings, the "Chapter of the Worthy Leader" was titled solely in terms of the person; later, for the sagely stages of the "Ten Bhūmis", it is titled solely in terms of the teaching. Why is it that here among the inner ordinary beings, the three stages of worthies, person and teaching are designated jointly? Answer: Because the previous stages were not yet accomplished, they were designated in terms of person and teaching; the stages of the three worthies are inferior, so person and teaching are mentioned jointly; the sagely stages are prominent, so they are titled solely in terms of the teaching. This is also the aspect of gradual increase in pedagogical establishment. Question: Since they are equally joint designations of person and teaching, why do the ten practices and the ten dedications bring up specific names of persons, whereas here a general name is presented? Answer: Within the stages of worthies there are three, namely lower, middle, and upper. This corresponds to the lower grade, and being inferior, a general name is presented; the ten practices are the next, the middle worthies, so although a specific name is presented, it is slightly altered according to the meaning, being named "Flower Accumulation" and so forth; dedication is the upper worthies and superior, so it matches the original specific designation, being named "Vajradhvaja's Dedication".