大方廣佛華嚴經疏 57.48

57.48

In the fourth major section, there are ten spiritual friends, corresponding to the ten pariṇāmanās. Now, the first: the elder Utpalabhūti (Blue Lotus Flower) corresponds to the dedication (pariṇāmanā) of rescuing and protecting sentient beings while being free from the mark of sentient beings. Residing in the land of Vipula (Vast) is because he is newly entering dedication. Dedicating to sentient beings is 'vast' (guang); dedicating to bodhi is 'great' (da); dedicating to the limit of reality (bhūta-koṭi) applies to both vast and great. Saying that he 'sells incense': 'selling' means peddling. Although the substance of incense is small, its released fragrance spreads far and wide; although roots of goodness are subtle, dedication is universally pervasive. Furthermore, whether selling or buying, both acquire the fragrance; one's own and others' roots of goodness can both be dedicated. As for the 'blue lotus flower' (utpala): the lotus flower resides in the mud yet is unsoiled, just as protecting sentient beings is free from marks. The blue lotus flower is the foremost among water [flowers], and rescuing and protecting is the most exalted when entering birth-and-death. The text is also divided into six. In the first, 'Proceeding to Seek in Accordance with the Teaching,' first, he raises vows in accordance with the teaching, because this dedication is the foremost among great vows; later, from 'gradually' onward, he proceeds to seek the subsequent station.