大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 19.27

19.27

On the Commentary's "Because a great being must venerate virtue..." onward: it first clarifies the intent of the praise, with the first two lines stating the theme. Regarding "venerating virtue and broadening enterprise," the Upper Commentary of the Zhouyi states: "The Master said: 'Is not the Changes the utmost? For the Changes is that by which the sage venerates virtue and broadens enterprise.'" The commentary states: "Exhausting principles and entering the spirit—its virtue is venerated. Comprehensively rescuing the myriad things—its enterprise is broad." Next it further says: "Wisdom is venerated, propriety is humble; veneration emulates heaven, humility models on earth." The commentary states: "Wisdom values veneration, propriety takes humility as its function." It also says: "Abundant virtue and great enterprise are the utmost! Abundant possession is called great enterprise; daily renewal is called abundant virtue." Regarding "emptying the mind and treating the body as external," this reflects the intent of Laozi. He states: "Empty his mind, fill his belly; weaken his ambition, strengthen his bones." He also states: "Putting his person last, his person is first; treating his person as external, his person is preserved." Here his words are borrowed. This means that bodhisattvas make their minds empty and vast, their wisdom transcending subject and object, forgetting themselves for the sake of beings and single-mindedly benefiting others. Thus a later passage of the sūtra states: "The meritorious practices cultivated by bodhisattvas / are not for oneself or for others; / but solely with the mind of supreme wisdom, / they dedicate them for the sake of benefiting sentient beings." This is the meaning.