大方廣佛華嚴經疏 46.10

46.10

Third is the supernormal power of past abodes. In the heading, matters that have passed away are called 'past abodes'; clearly remembering what occurred in the past is 'recollection.' That is, recollection of past abodes, the supernormal power of recollection of past abodes. Second, from 'capable of knowing' onwards, is the explanation of the characteristics, within which there are two parts: first, knowing mundane matters, within which is first a general statement, and from 'that is to say' onwards, the particulars; second, from 'again recollects the past' onwards, knowing Buddha matters. Therein are also two parts: first, indicating the vastness in terms of realms, knowing only their fruitions; second, from 'again recollects' onwards, indicating the vastness in terms of persons, concurrently knowing their causes, all because the bodhisattva has attained the eye of the nine periods of time, seeing them as if presently perceived. If this were not so, then if past dharmas did not pass away, they would not be called past, while if they had already passed away, there would be no dharma to be known. If it were merely that due to an impression appearing in the mind previously experienced one is said to recollect and know it, then one would only see one's own mind and not see that dharma. Furthermore, one should not be able to recollect or know matters never previously experienced. Again, one would only see the present and not the past, so how could it be called 'past abodes'? The rest of the text can be understood.