新華嚴經論 9.2

9.2

Regarding the tenth assembly being in the Chapter on the Dharmadhātu: this clarifies that this single assembly universally embraces all assemblies, and the lands of the ten directions, the dharmadhātu, and the space realm are collectively a single assembly, layered without end; all the oceans of Buddhas and the oceans of all sentient beings are united into a single body by this single Chapter on the Dharmadhātu. All realms vary according to the minds of sentient beings, distinguished by this; one can encompass them through the six characteristics and ten mysteries, and see them by contemplating with a thought-free mind. Alternatively, one may take the Chapter on the Wondrous Adornments of the Rulers of the World as one assembly, and the three assemblies in the Universal Light Hall as one assembly, which together with the preceding Chapter on the Wondrous Adornments of the Rulers of the World make two assemblies. Ascending to the heavens of Sumeru, Yāma, Tuṣita, Nirmāṇarati, and the Third Dhyāna makes five assemblies, which together with the preceding two assemblies make seven assemblies. The human world at the Jeta Grove in the Chapter on the Dharmadhātu is the eighth assembly, the place of the Great Stūpa of Sudhana is the ninth assembly, and the assembly everywhere in the dharmadhātu of empty space is the tenth assembly. This completely subsumes beginning and end throughout the ten directions, which is also an interpretation of one school and does not contradict the principle. Ancient masters spoke of 'nine assemblies' because they did not know that the eleventh ground is taught in the Third Dhyāna. This sūtra takes the totality of ten dharmas as its standard; one cannot speak of nine. As for Sudhana's assembly east of the City of Awakening, this clarifies that the preceding assemblies only provisionally established the dharmas of the five stages, without yet provisionally displaying the persons capable of cultivating the practice. The single assembly at the City of Awakening clarifies the persons capable of cultivating the practice and the bodhisattvas' rules and methods of expediently embracing sentient beings.