無量壽經連義述文贊 2.13

2.13

The sūtra says: from "immeasurable Buddhas" up to "yet all have already established." The commentary states: Second, cultivating practices of the superior level. There are two: this initial part is cultivating internal virtues. Since their practice enters the Buddha's realm, they are mutually protected and kept in mind, because minding the good causes it to grow and guarding against evil causes it to be eradicated. Some say: what they abide in is the true Dharma-realm, the ten Dharma-realms expounded in the *Mahāyānasaṃgraha*; what they establish is supernormal power, as the *Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra* says, "able to establish the great purpose." This is probably not so. Since being able to establish the great purpose is the purpose of great nirvāṇa in benefiting beings, it is definitely not self-benefit. Some say: what they abide in is the principle of emptiness and signlessness, and what they establish is the twelvefold canon. This is also not so. Conventional phenomena should be like ultimate truth, which is also that wherein the Buddha abides. Some say: what they abide in is practice of realization, and what they establish is practice of teaching, because the Dharma-realm and the perfections are what the Buddha established. This is also not so; it contradicts the meaning in the *Lotus Sūtra* that the Buddha himself abides in the Great Vehicle. The Great Vehicle must encompass teaching, principle, practice, and fruition; since the perfections are practice, they should not be 'what is established'. Now then: that wherein the Buddha abides is the tenet of the two truths; since the bodhisattvas awaken following the Buddha, it is said they 'have already attained abiding'. What the Great Sage establishes is the explanation of the three baskets; the great beings also comprehend the purport of the explanation, hence it is said they 'have all already established'. 'Buddha' and 'Great Sage' are different terms for the same entity, merely used interchangeably.