華嚴經探玄記 5.74

5.74

Within the answer, there are three parts: first, generally praising its profundity to induce yearning and desire; second, demonstrating its superiority through comparative measurement to generate pure faith; third, discerning its profundity according to its characteristics to generate correct understanding. In the initial question, that it is asked by the Heavenly Lord is because he resides in heaven and to reveal the mastery of merit. That Dharma-wisdom speaks is because only wisdom that accords with the Dharma can fathom the bounds of merit. In the second part, the exposition, there are two: first, praising the profundity to induce faith; second, from "Although" onwards, the exposition proper to induce understanding. Another interpretation: the former arouses yearning and desire; the latter formally confers the principle of the Dharma. Another interpretation: the former reveals the extreme profundity of the essence; the latter clarifies the vastness of its function. Another interpretation: the former reveals the profound greatness of the meaning; the latter reveals the vast greatness of the teaching. In the former part, the first phrase is general; six phrases are specific: 1. oneself being unable to know it; 2. others hearing it and not having faith; 3. contemplating it and not understanding; 4. words failing to express it clearly; 5. wisdom gained through cultivation being unable to penetrate it; 6. reward-born wisdom being unable to differentiate it; hence it is extremely profound. Another interpretation: 1. the measure of the teaching is difficult to know; 2. the profound meaning is difficult to believe; 3. it is difficult to understand through contemplation; 4. it is difficult to explain in response to capacities; 5. wishing to verify it, it is difficult to penetrate; 6. its count being ultimate, it is difficult to differentiate.