大方廣佛華嚴經疏 41.16

41.16

Second, within the section directly explaining [the stage], there are two: first, the practices of the stage; second, the results of the stage. The former has seven distinctions: 1. generally explaining the section on the accumulation and preparation of the stage through expedient means; 2. from "entering the primordial non-arising of all phenomena" downward, the section on attaining purified patience; 3. from "Sons of the Buddha, the bodhisattva accomplishing this patience" downward, the section on attaining superior practice; 4. from "Sons of the Buddha, the bodhisattva dwelling in this eighth stage through great..." downward, the section on purifying the buddha-lands; 5. from "Sons of the Buddha, the bodhisattva accomplishing such bodily wisdom" downward, the section on attaining mastery; 6. from "this bodhisattva having entered in this way" downward, the section of great excellence; 7. from "Sons of the Buddha, this stage of wisdom of the bodhisattva" downward, the section explaining the name. Among these seven: the first two are the expedient means of approaching the stage. The first is the distant expedient means, because it gathers the previous seven stages together to make the expedient means for this stage. The second is the proximate expedient means, because the illumination of patience was attained in the previous stage and is here matured and purified. The third is the practice upon first dwelling in the stage, meaning that based on the previous purified patience, superior cultivation is initiated. The next two are the practices of stably dwelling in the stage: the fourth is the beginning of proper dwelling, where based on the previous superior practice, one further initiates the practice of purifying the buddha-lands. The fifth is the conclusion of proper dwelling, where through the practice of purifying lands, virtues become unobstructed. The sixth is the practice of completing the stage: in comparison to the previous, this stage is throughout superior, and now, furthermore, the stage is completed, making it the superior among the superior; hence it is called "great excellence." The seventh distinguishes virtues and reveals the title, applying throughout from beginning to end. Furthermore, the first two sections are the mind of entry, and the rest are the mind of dwelling.