大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 80.35

80.35

Regarding the commentary's "Now first, among the eight aspects" and so forth: the commentary text has four parts: first, briefly explaining the sūtra text; second, harmonizing with the Vimalakīrti-nirdeśa; third, distinguishing differences from what precedes; fourth, broadly inquiring and explaining. In the commentary, from "This text directly accords with" downward is the second, harmonizing with the Vimalakīrti-nirdeśa. Within this there are three parts: first, directly showing identity; second, presenting that sūtra's intent; third, directly harmonizing and explaining. Now, as for the first: this is the "Bodhisattva Chapter." Maitreya was preaching the practice of the stage of non-retrogression to the gods of Tuṣita heaven, and Vimalakīrti challenged him, saying: "Did you receive the prophecy from the arising of tathatā, or did you receive the prophecy from the cessation of tathatā? If you received the prophecy from the arising of tathatā, tathatā has no arising; if you received the prophecy from the cessation of tathatā, tathatā has no cessation. All sentient beings are tathatā; all dharmas are also tathatā; all holy ones and sages are also tathatā; right up to Maitreya, he is also tathatā. If Maitreya received the prophecy, all sentient beings should also receive the prophecy. Why is this? Tathatā is neither dual nor different. If Maitreya attains anuttarasamyaksaṃbodhi, all sentient beings should also attain it. Why is this? All sentient beings are themselves the mark of bodhi. If Maitreya attains extinction, all sentient beings should also attain extinction. Why is this? The Buddhas know that all sentient beings are ultimately quiescent and extinguished—that is the mark of nirvāṇa, not extinguishing again." Commentary: Here it directly explains the meaning of attaining right awakening; hence it only cites bodhi. If based on the sūtra text, it says "even unto entering nirvāṇa," and thus also contains the meaning that [sentient beings] should also attain extinction; hence it is now cited in full.