大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 48.26

48.26

Regarding the commentary's passage beginning with "Three: Immeasurable...": this is the perfection of support. The commentary text is divided into three parts: first, citing the *Buddhabhūmi-sūtra*; second, from "The present text" onward, explaining the text; third, from "The *Buddhabhūmi-sūtra* relies solely upon..." onward, harmonizing with the *Buddhabhūmi-śāstra*. Now, regarding the first: that śāstra first raises a question, saying: "Since the gate of such a pure land is already perfected, like other palaces it must have that upon which it relies; therefore, the perfection of support must next be explained (raising the question). Adorned by an assemblage of immeasurable merits, established upon a multitude of great jewel flower kings (citing the sūtra in reply)." Now the commentary cites the sūtra saying "serving as that which is relied upon and supported," because previously there was no question and subsequently no explanation is cited, so it merely concludes with the name. Later it harmonizes with that śāstra, in which there are two parts: first, setting forth the intent of that śāstra, since the extensive explanation of the śāstra is solely in terms of the flower. The śāstra says: "Just as the earth and so forth rely on the wind-wheel and the like, or just as worldly palaces rely on the earth, so too this pure land is adorned by an assemblage of immeasurable merits. Established upon a multitude of great jewel red lotus flower kings, it is made of the great jewels of the red lotus flowers; such great jewels arise from the numerous virtues of immeasurable merits, and being superior among all jewels, they are called great jewels. This red lotus flower is the most superior among all flowers, and is therefore called a flower king. Or, compared with the red lotuses arisen from the roots of goodness of all bodhisattvas, this jewel flower is the most superior, and is therefore called great. The Buddha, the Dharma King, arises from the Buddha's most superior roots of goodness, and is therefore called a king. Moreover, because this jewel flower is extremely difficult to obtain, it is called great; being the most superior among jewel flowers, it is called a flower king. Furthermore, this great flower is not singular, or because its petals and stamens are numerous, it is called a multitude." Explanation: This relies solely on concrete phenomena, because the adornment of merit is attributed to the Buddha. If immeasurable merit is extended to principle, then the Buddha stage is also sustained by the Buddha's power; therefore, the commentary says "merit also encompasses both phenomenon and principle." "The capital where the Tathāgata resides" is completely identical to the *Buddhabhūmi-sūtra* and *śāstra*. Explanation: This means that within the great palace, the Buddhas, the World-Honoured Ones, are the masters and none other; because of its supreme excellence, it belongs solely to the World-Honoured One. Or, it is solely sustained and gathered in by the World-Honoured One, which is beyond the capacity of others.