大方廣佛華嚴經疏 58.3

58.3

From here below, the fifth major section contains ten good friends, lodging in the stations of the ten stages, and is thus divided into ten sections. First is the night spirit Vāsantī, lodging the stage of joy (pramuditā-bhūmi). The city is named Kapilavastu, which here is translated as "Yellow-Colored," because in the past the yellow-headed rishi relied on this place. Yellow is the central color, symbolizing accord with the middle way. Furthermore, this is the city where the Buddha was born, symbolizing being born into the Buddha's family in the first stage. Vāsan here is translated as "spring." Tī here is translated as "governing," because in springtime she governs sprouts and crops. This reveals that upon first entering the stage, one can generate and grow the myriad practices and protect sentient beings. As for frequently seeing night spirits above the stages: the wisdom of realization is profound and subtle, and the variegated marks shatter darkness. The nine devatās below, according to Sanskrit manuscripts, are all goddesses. That Gopā is also female is because realization on the stages is identical-essence kindness and compassion, in the form of a woman. In the first part, proceeding to seek in accordance with the teaching: first he cultivates and realizes based on the previous, and then from "gradually" downward, he proceeds to seek the subsequent friend. In this, he first reaches the time and place. Entering from the eastern gate: this is the beginning of illumination, revealing the beginning of entering realization. Seeing the sun set: because she is a night spirit, it symbolizes that the sun of discriminative views has already vanished. Afterwards, from "with thoughts in mind" downward, he generates a thirsty and longing mind.