大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 78.49

78.49

Regarding the Commentary's statement, "Specifically, it refers to this chapter...", the text of the Commentary has two parts: first, directly elucidating with respect to the uniform cause and effect; second, from "It also distantly answers..." downward, explaining in relation to the previous questions. In this there are again two parts: first, directly addressing the previous questions; second, from "Although previously answered..." downward, resolving difficulties. The text is divided into three: first, directly answering the objection regarding repetition. That is to say, if it had not been answered before, it ought to be answered now; but since the "Inconceivable Chapter" had already answered it, why must it be answered again? Hence this resolution is made. Second, from "It is also like..." downward, citing precedents. Third, from "Yet the wondrous among the wondrous..." downward, repeatedly resolving the underlying objection. That is to say, someone might object: if it is by precedent like the Ocean of Characteristics, etc., then it is merely a repeated answer; why make it distinctively the uniform cause and effect? Hence this resolution is made. Regarding "The ancient masters...", the uniform cause and effect is in fact an ancient idea; in order to accord with the ancients, this resolution was made. If we take the primary intent of the Commentary, it is to take the five chapters as all answering the question of the fruit achieved, as already explained at the beginning of the "Inconceivable Chapter."