大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 70.59

70.59

Regarding the Commentary's statement, "Depending on whether the field is high or low, there are differences, causing the seeds also to have many distinctions": the upper clause refers solely to the metaphor; the lower clause contains both doctrine and metaphor. Furthermore, saying "causing the seeds to differ" is explained provisionally in terms of the metaphor: it is like grain seeds varying according to the richness or barrenness of the field, not that planting grain causes bean sprouts to grow. If explained in terms of the orange tree south of the Huai River turning into the bitter trifoliate orange north of it, there is also a slight sense of transforming the seed. However, this is also a variation within its broad category, not an absolute difference. If explained in terms of the doctrine: the seeds of consciousness do not differ; because of whether karma is good or evil, consciousness incurs suffering or bliss, which thereby causes the seeds to differ.