大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 76.45

76.45

Regarding the Commentary's statement: "However, it merely says 'northeast'" and so forth, this is the third [section], determining its location. Because the sūtra does not specify the name of the country and merely says "northeast," [the Commentary] therefore quotes sūtras to establish the location. As for why this sūtra does not specify it: because it is categorized among the eight directions, and none of the other seven directions are specified either, their country names being given in the subsequent text. Now, fearing that those of shallow understanding might be perplexed, it therefore cites sūtras as proof. This sūtra is also named the Eight Syllables Dhāraṇī Sūtra, which extensively explains the virtues of Mañjuśrī. What the Commentary cited was still brief; now I cite further from it. That is to say, in that sūtra, the Bodhisattva Vajraguhyādhipati asked the Tathāgata, saying: "In what location does Mañjuśrī dwell? And in what region can he carry out benefits?" The Tathāgata answered, saying: "After my nirvāṇa..." and so forth, which is cited in full in the Commentary. Below, a verse says: "The great bodhisattva Mañjuśrī / Does not abandon his vow of great compassion: / Transforming his body into that of a youth (kumāra), / Either wearing a cap or exposing his body; / Or staying among groups of children, / Sporting in towns and settlements; / Or acting as an impoverished person, / Withered in form and appearing aged; / Also manifesting the suffering of hunger and cold, / Wandering through markets and thoroughfares, / Begging for clothing, wealth, and treasures, / Prompting people to make a single offering / And granting all their wishes in full, / Causing them to generate faithful mind. / Once faith has been generated, / He preaches the Dharma of the six perfections for them. / Leading ten thousand bodhisattvas, / He resides on the Five-Peaked Mountain, / Emitting hundreds of millions of rays of light; / Humans and devas all behold them, / And their sins and defilements are completely extinguished. / Some obtain the Dharma of retaining what is heard, / All the dhāraṇīs, / And the profound gateways of the secret treasury, / Practicing and realizing the true Dharma, / Culminating in the vow of the Buddha-fruit. / Equipped with the samādhi gateway of emptiness, / They master the path to nirvāṇa. / The great vow-power of Mañjuśrī / Is of the same realm as the Buddhas." Below, it further extensively praises his virtues, which cannot be narrated at length; one should certainly seek it in the sūtra.