大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 59.19

59.19

Regarding the commentary's statement, "That is, measure one's capacity, both cherishing and spurring oneself on, and do not let it become excessive": this is from the Nirvāṇa-sūtra, as already cited above. It is also like teaching Śroṇa the method of tuning the lute. As for the phrase "afterwards abandoning it": the Chapter on Cultivation and Faith of the Awakening of Faith discusses people who, due to delusion by māras, suddenly arouse vigorous effort and afterwards abandon it. Now, having them not become excessive ensures that it is not suddenly aroused, nor is it abandoned later. However, the commentary explains the three times according to their specific aspects; it is also possible that these three are the beginning, middle, and end: the first is simply bearing clearly in mind; the next is diligent cultivation day and night; and the last is practicing without interruption. Regarding "This refers to the practice of the two benefits of shame and guilt above": this explains the sūtra. Within this practice, the latter three practices subsume and protect the former seven. Within shame and guilt, the practices of the two benefits across the preceding seven gates have already been encompassed; the present two benefits are precisely the preceding seven, but consist of cultivating firmness among the practices protected by shame and guilt. From "wishing to seek deliverance early" onward, it explains diligent cultivation. From "renunciation" onward, the text directly reveals the aspects of practice. This phrase generally explains the essence of firmness, which is the text of the Bequeathed Teaching cited earlier. From "not retrogressing from one's own stage" onward, it specifically explains the characteristics of firmness; the Maitreya-paripṛcchā-sūtra has already been cited in the preceding sūtra.