大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 35.40

35.40

Regarding the Commentary's statement, "From the first line of the final verse..." onwards: The third is in terms of buddha-nature. That is, following the difficult points, it re-clarifies the meaning that the gotra is endowed with the three buddha-natures. This comes from the *Buddha-Nature Treatise* (*Buddhagotraśāstra*), fascicle two, part three, "Revealing the Essence," chapter "The Three Causes." The treatise states: "Furthermore, it should be known that the essence of buddha-nature has three kinds, subsumed under the three natures. The three kinds are what are called the three causes. The three causes of the three kinds of buddha-nature are: first, the cause of what should be attained; second, the cause of applied practices; third, the cause of fulfillment. The first is the tathatā revealed by the two kinds of emptiness; by this, one should attain bodhicitta, up to the post-path dharmakāya. Second, the cause of applied practices: this refers to the bodhicitta; by this mind, one attains the thirty-seven aids to awakening, the ten pāramitās, and the ten stages, up to the post-path dharmakāya. Third, the cause of fulfillment: this is the cause of applied practices; through this, all is fulfilled. As for the three kinds of buddha-nature: within the cause of what should be attained, the three natures are fully present: first, the nature abiding in its own nature; second, the nature drawn forth; third, the nature of attaining the fruit." Explanation: "Abiding in its own nature" refers to the stage of ordinary beings before the path. "The nature drawn forth" refers to all the stages of the noble ones who are still in training, from the generation of the mind on up. "The nature of attaining the fruit" refers to the stage of the noble ones beyond training.