大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 36.37

36.37

Regarding the Commentary's statement, "Inhabited solely by devas": the Kośa verse says: "Wondrous-High has four tiers, each spaced ten thousand [yojanas] apart, projecting outward sixteen thousand, and quantities of eight, four, and two thousand. The Firm-Handed, Garland-Bearers, and Ever-Intoxicated deva-king hosts dwell respectively on the four tiers, and also inhabit the other seven mountains." Explanation: This means from the water's edge up to the end of the first tier, the distance is ten thousand, projecting outward sixteen thousand. For the three tiers above, the upward distance is the same in number, while the outward projection decreases by half progressively. The second tier is eight thousand, the third is four thousand, the fourth is two thousand, tapering progressively upward. These four tiers directly upward cover the lower half of Wondrous-High, forty thousand yojanas. On the first tier there are yakṣa spirits called Firm-Handed, and so on up to the fourth, which is the Four Heavenly Kings; the rest are all governed by the Four Heavenly Kings, hence it says "inhabited solely by devas". At the peak of Wondrous-High, in the eight directions, thirty-three heavens additionally reside; therefore all are inhabited by devas. Regarding the Commentary's statement, "The pārijātaka is able to benefit the hosts of devas": pāri here is translated as 'everywhere' or 'encircling'; jātaka (citra) is translated as 'variegated adornment'. This means that the multicolored flowers of this tree encircle and adorn it, or it is called 'round and wondrous adornment'; this is the Garden-Born Tree of the Kośa. Thus the Kośa states: "In the northeast is the Garden-Born Tree; in the southwest is the Hall of Good Dharma." The commentary on the treatise explains: "Its Garden-Born Tree has coiled roots fifty yojanas deep and wide; its trunk ascends aloft, its branches spread outward, its height and breadth equaling one hundred yojanas. Sprouting leaves and blossoming flowers, its wonderful fragrance is rich and sweet; wafting with the wind, it fills one hundred yojanas, and wafting against the wind, it still pervades fifty. It is the place where the hosts of devas disport and take pleasure." The rest of the text is self-evident.