大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 71.37

71.37

Regarding the commentary’s “As in the *Sūtra of the Questions of the Ṛṣi Great Light of Majesty*”: that text is called the *Sūtra on Inquiring into Doubts*, in which this ṛṣi is the foremost, containing extensive questions and answers. At the end the ṛṣis asked about this meaning, saying: “Sentient beings' holding of meanings is like shooting stars, each distinct and separate; how can a true gathering together be achieved?” Below, the gist is cited. The Buddha said: “There is no time, direction, or place in which gathering together is attained. Only after passing beyond the single vehicle, in the bodhisattva grounds, is gathering together attained; in nirvāṇa without remainder is gathering together attained, like a hundred rivers returning to the ocean.” He also said: “Although I have spoken of gathering together in the equality of defilements, it is also not a gathering together. Just as insects blown by the wind gather in one place, and when the wind ceases they scatter again, sentient beings are also like this: blown by the wind of karma to gather in places such as the hells and hungry ghosts, when karma is exhausted they scatter again.” They also asked with the meaning: Having previously been together in the six destinies and later meeting among humans, how may it be known that they were previously gathered together? The Buddha said: “Great Ṛṣi! When any sentient beings see each other and their minds are displeased, giving rise to wrath and harboring hatred, or at times suffer headaches, or lose control of urination and defecation, you should know that these people show the signs of having once gathered together in the hells in previous lives.” They also asked: “If in previous lives they were once among animals, with hundreds of thousands of bodies in one place, how can this be known?” The Buddha said: “When they are born among humans and see each other, they form enmity and resentment, constantly looking for an advantage against each other, [thinking], ‘When shall I find an advantage over them?’ This is the sign of having previously gathered together among animals. If they have come from among hungry ghosts, they constantly delight in foul stench and are greedy for food; even if they wish to give to another, their minds cannot let go, and they produce distress and greedy attachment. Or again, seeing the wealth and influence of others, their minds give rise to jealousy, and they constantly desire to obtain the other person’s property. If they were in previous lives together in one place among humans, then in the present life when they see each other, they give rise further to minds of lust. If they were in previous lives together among the gods, then when they see each other, their gazes from afar draw each other in, and they mutually feel fond affection.” Hearing this, the ṛṣi praised the Tathāgata as omniscient.