大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 84.4

84.4

Regarding the Commentary's citation, "The Record of the Western Regions says: 'In ancient times there was an elder immortal...'" and so forth: this is from the sixth fascicle. Now, Śrāvastī is the country of Shewei; it is merely a difference of Sanskrit and Chinese phonetic rendering. Regarding the Commentary's "Many intelligent and broadly learned individuals were born there": this is spoken in general terms. Furthermore, this city is said to possess four virtues: first, the virtue of sensory objects, because the realms of the six dusts are mostly beautiful; second, the virtue of wealth and goods, because the rare treasures of the seven gems are all present; third, the virtue of the noble Dharma, because the noble teachings of the tripiṭaka are fully complete; fourth, the virtue of liberation, because every person has the capacity for liberation, and those who skillfully attain liberation are truly numerous. Possessing these four virtues, its fame spread far to other countries; therefore, its people and culture are considered marks of the Way. It also symbolizes that this sūtra possesses these four virtues: first, the five kinds of dharmadhātu are all the Buddha's realm; second, the treasures of the seven noble wealths are fully complete; third, cause, result, and that which realizes them are all the noble Dharma; fourth, tallying with entry into the dharmadhātu is true liberation, extensively expounding the Tathāgata's ocean of liberation. In the Commentary, "Jeta" is a Sanskrit word, in Chinese meaning "conqueror in battle"; he was the prince born to King Prasenajit. When the prince was first born, the king won a victory in battle, and so named him. This symbolizes relying on a good spiritual friend to vanquish the demonic armies as well as ordinary persons and the Hinayana; hence the text above says, "to symbolize relying on a person."