大華嚴經略策 1.24

1.24

第十七、地獄頓超。問：罪有淺深、位有階降，阿毘地獄極惡罪人，如何頓超便階十地？若言經力或推佛光，何不獄中談經？何借光明常照？仰申所以用遣大疑。答：圓滿教海德用難思，諸佛威神利樂頗測，然其化物要在有緣。地獄罪人昔聞圓法，具金剛種得遇佛光，光流成道之時即是根機已熟。冥機扣聖感應道交，亦似萌芽久含陽氣，東風一拂頓爾抽條。位雖頓圓，因亦積善，若非其器亦不遇光，次第久修，果無頓得。其由影隨質妙、響逐聲倫，理數而然亦何致惑。謹對。

Seventeenth: Sudden Transcendence from Hell. Question: Transgressions have shallowness and depth, and stages have gradations; how could an extremely evil transgressor in Avīci Hell suddenly transcend and directly step into the ten stages? If you say it is the power of the sūtra or attribute it to the Buddha's light, why not preach the sūtra in hell? Why rely on light constantly illuminating? Please set forth the reason in order to dispel this great doubt. Answer: The virtue and function of the ocean of the complete teaching are inconceivable, and the awe-inspiring power of the Buddhas to benefit and bring joy can hardly be fathomed; yet their transformation of beings depends on their having affinity. A transgressor in hell had previously heard the complete Dharma, possessed the vajra seed, and obtained encounter with the Buddha's light; at the time when the light radiated upon [the Buddha's] attaining the Way, their faculties had already matured. Hidden faculties knock at the sage, and stimulus and response interlock in the Way; it is also like a sprout that has long harbored yang energy, which, as soon as the east wind blows, suddenly shoots forth. Although the stage is suddenly completed, the cause also lay in accumulating goodness; if one were not such a vessel, one would also not encounter the light. Without long cultivation in sequence, the fruit is not obtained suddenly. It is like a shadow following the form, or an echo pursuing the sound; it is naturally so in principle and number, so why should it cause doubt? Respectfully answered.