大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 23.64

23.64

Regarding the commentary's statement, "Therefore, the text of these ten phrases applies to both stages and practices": the third part concludes both. The particular explanation is assigned to stages, while the general explanation concerns practices. In the commentary, from "The forty phrases of answer text..." downward, the answers are distinguished against the questions. Therein are two parts: first, stating and questioning; afterward, from "Generally, the various assemblies..." downward, explaining the characteristics, first explaining the general and afterward the particular. In the general, there are two parts: first, explaining the general characteristics; afterward, explaining the collective and particular. In the first part, the text has four divisions: first, directly clarifying the general, meaning that the nine assemblies answer comprehensively. Second, from "That is to say, the previous ocean-like assembly..." downward, establishing the principle. Here there are three principles: first, the ocean-like assembly constantly follows, and since it applies across the nine assemblies, the questions and answers ought to be comprehensive. Second, from "How could it be..." downward, the wisdom of the ocean-like assembly is deep and capable of asking everything exhaustively. Third, from "Hence we know the first assembly is the collective..." downward, matching the collective inquiry. Based on these three principles, questions and answers are comprehensively applicable. Third, from "And as for dividing..." downward, resolving an objection. That is to say, an objection was previously raised: "If it is said that the ocean-like assembly asks exhaustively for the nine assemblies, and the nine assemblies answer alike, why are there three major sets of questions in the subsequent text?" Hence, this resolution is provided.