大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 18.96

18.96

Regarding the commentary's phrase "A single cloud and a single rain moisten differently": this refers to the "Parable of the Medicinal Herbs" chapter of the Lotus Sūtra, which says: "What is rained down by a single cloud allows [each plant] to grow, bloom, and bear fruit according to its species and nature. Although grown from a single soil and moistened by a single rain, the various grasses and trees each have their distinctions." This is the parable. Its application says: "Kāśyapa, you should know that the Tathāgata is also like this: appearing in the world like the rising of a great cloud, with a great voice he universally covers the gods, humans, and asuras across worlds, just as that great cloud universally covers the trichiliocosm." Explication: The above applies the cloud. Next, it says: "At that time, the Tathāgata contemplates these sentient beings—whether their faculties are sharp or dull, whether they are energetic or indolent—and according to what they are capable of [bearing], expounds for them various immeasurable teachings, causing them all to rejoice and swiftly attain good benefit." Explication: The above applies the rain. How is it known that it is single? Next, it says: "The Tathāgata knows this is the Dharma of a single characteristic and a single flavor—namely, the characteristic of liberation, the characteristic of detachment, and the characteristic of cessation—ultimately reaching all-knowledge." This is the meaning of "a single cloud and a single rain." The verse says: "The water of a single flavor produced by that cloud / The grasses, trees, groves, and forests receive its moisture according to their share." This too is "a single cloud and a single rain moistening differently." Below, it says: "He expounds the pure Dharma of amṛta for the great assembly. Its Dharma has the single flavor of liberation and nirvāṇa; with a single wondrous voice he expounds and disseminates this meaning. […] It even says: Whether of right views or wrong views, of sharp faculties or dull faculties, he rains down the Dharma-rain equally without weariness or fatigue. All sentient beings who hear my Dharma, according to the capacity of what they receive, abide on various stages, or dwell as humans, devas, wheel-turning sage kings, Śakra, and the Brahmā kings." These are the minor medicinal herbs, and so forth; all of them represent "a single cloud and a single rain moistening differently."