大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 90.26

90.26

In the commentary, “Since it says ‘already having passed through many kalpas,’ it is not definitively newly attained” refers to the first half-verse of this section, where the sūtra says: “Or seeing Śākya attain the Buddha path, / having already passed through inconceivable kalpas.” The reason the commentary cites these words is to refute the mistaken interpretation of the Tiantai masters. Many of those scholars say: Although the Avataṃsaka is profound and wondrous, it is inferior to the Lotus Sūtra in two respects: first, it combines distinct teachings, and for that reason does not speak of śrāvakas attaining Buddhahood; second, it speaks of the Tathāgata newly attaining true enlightenment, and does not speak of our Teacher's lifespan being attained in the distant past. Therefore, the commentary points to this sūtra text as the place where this sūtra speaks of attainment in the distant past. If what comes after cannot encompass what went before, then the “Lifespan” [chapter] of the Lotus could not encompass traces such as “When I first sat at the site of enlightenment, contemplating for three seven-day periods.” According to that master, attainment in the distant past is the fundamental source (ben) and newly attaining is the trace (ji); in our present sūtra, the fundamental source is neither ancient nor present, and in terms of the trace gate, it can be present and can be distant. Master Daosheng also said: “Therefore, expressing speech of an ultimate long life, Gayā is it. If Gayā is it, it is no longer Gayā. Since Gayā is not it, is that Chang’an alone it? Since both long and short are not it, that whereby long and short exist is preserved.” This is truly a wondrous awakening! As for not speaking of śrāvakas attaining Buddhahood, this is said in terms of the non-common meaning; since they are not loathed and abandoned, when were they ever cast aside? Moreover, when one attains, all attain; there is not a single sentient being who does not possess the Buddha's wisdom. One must skillfully grasp the meaning and not interpret the sūtra haphazardly.