大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 18.97

18.97

Regarding the commentary's phrase "Also according with the capacities and suitability of beings, the clouds and rains each differ": this also reflects the intention of the "Manifestation" chapter. The citation above from the Lotus Sūtra took the cloud and rain as one while the moistening differed, illustrating that the Buddha's body and teaching of the Dharma have never had any discrepancy, and that the difference lies in the beings. Here, it clarifies that the Buddha can possess differences: namely, manifesting ten kinds of distinct body-clouds and pouring down ten Dharma-rains. Just as the dragon king Sāgara raises clouds, sometimes manifesting the color and radiance of Jambūnada gold, sometimes the color and radiance of vaidūrya, sometimes the color and radiance of silver, or sometimes the color and radiance of crystal, etc.—this is the difference in clouds. Next, it says: "Namely, raining down pure water in the great ocean, called uninterrupted; raining down various musical sounds such as flutes and pipes in the Paranirmitavaśavartin Heaven, called exquisite," etc.—this is the difference in rain. Therefore, it says "clouds and rains each differ."