華嚴經探玄記 5.8

5.8

Within the former, there are two: the first chapter is the introduction of the Tathāgata responding to resonance, elucidating that the virtues of the fruit are complete; the latter chapter elucidates the introduction of gathering the assembly and praising with light, elucidating that the virtues of the cause are consummate; that is, revealing that within the stage of the ten abidings, the theme of cause and fruit is completely and fully possessed. Within the former, there are three: first, discerning the conditions for conversion; second, from "At that time Śakra Indra..." onwards, adorning faculties and desires; third, from "At that time the World-Honoured One..." onwards, elucidating the harmony of faculties and conditions. Within the first, there are two: first, the essence fuses and pervades the dharmadhātu; second, elucidating the fusion of functions, meaning advancing without moving. Within the first, the initial sentence elucidates the source of the essence's fusion, namely the Buddha's power. Below, it clarifies the characteristics of fusion and pervasion, wherein "in each of the ten directions, one Jambudvīpa..." and so forth refers to what was discerned above in the chapter "Awakening through Light": in each world across the ten directions, up to the ineffable-ineffable empty space and dharmadhātu, there is a Rocana Buddha under the bodhi tree, each preaching the Dharma with an ocean-like assembly of bodhisattvas and with Mañjuśrī up to Bhadraśrī and others. Because the various assembled gatherings do not intermingle, it says, "each thought they were present." Now they simultaneously gather the assemblies, each ascending to the heavens of their own realms without leaving their original places. If speaking of expounding sūtras and bestowing conversions in the Śrāvakayāna, the three vehicles, and so forth, they only discuss being in a certain place, without this one preaching being all preachings. Now, wishing to elucidate the One Vehicle Dharma, the host and companions are completely luminous, so the Dharma is thus. Within this: first, the three realms fuse; second, the circumstantial and direct retributions fuse; third, within direct retribution there is the mutual fusion of the Triratna, meaning expounding various [teachings] is the Jewel of Dharma, the bodhisattvas are the Saṅgha, opposing the Tathāgata; fourth, among the bodhisattvas there is the fusion of the three karmas, meaning manifestation is body, expounding the Dharma is speech, and "each thought" is mind. Question: Why is it necessary to gather these? Answer: Wishing to reveal that host and companions are complete, for whenever a single dharma arises, it necessarily possesses all. Question: Why do they all take the bodhi tree as the origin? Answer: Because it is the initial place of attaining the Dharma, and also because it is the gate of awakening.