無量壽經連義述文贊 2.16

2.16

On the passage from "Making offerings to all Buddhas" to "the teachings on illusory transformations": The commentary states: The third is the virtues realized through one's own domain. This has four parts: first, the skillful means of cultivation; second, the virtues realized through cultivation; third, reiterated explanation of initiating cultivation; fourth, reiterated presentation of the realized virtues. The first part also has four: here, the first is the cultivation of self-benefit. 'Making offerings to all Buddhas, transforming [bodies] like flashes of lightning' is the practice of merit. 'Skillfully studying fearlessness and understanding illusory transformations' is the practice of wisdom. Some say: Wishing to make offerings to all Buddhas, they manifest their bodies, reaching everywhere in a single thought as swift as lightning. Distinguishing the false and adopting the correct is called 'skillfully studying'; comprehending the correct and transcending the false is called 'fearlessness'; and comprehensively grasping all dharmas is called the 'net'—this is the skillful means of wisdom. Also, seeing that all dharmas are not definitely existent or non-existent, their nature being like an illusion, is called 'understanding illusory transformations'—this is the accomplishment of wisdom. Furthermore, not cowering before persons, one learns fearlessness; being able to know dharmas, one understands illusory transformations. Some say: Although all dharmas are not non-existent, they are not existent, and thus one does not see a single dharma to be feared. Gathering beings without abandoning them is called 'studying the net of fearlessness'. Although they are not existent, they are not non-existent; being free from existence and non-existence, they are called 'illusory transformations'. Some say: Like Avalokiteśvara gathering sentient beings with the net of bestowing fearlessness, it is called the 'net of fearlessness'. All three are not correct. If 'skillful study' were a skillful means that has not yet comprehended the false and the correct, it should not be 'fearless'. And since all dharmas are not existent, one does not see anything to be feared, but since they are also not non-existent, they could be feared! In proper order, now [we explain]: manifesting transformations to make offerings to Buddhas, though suddenly reaching everywhere, does not abide, and is therefore like a flash of lightning. 'Studying the net of fearlessness' is wisdom that comprehends the expressed teachings. 'Understanding the teachings of illusory transformation' is wisdom that awakens to the intended purport. The 'net' is the teaching. Since the Buddha is endowed with the four fearlessnesses, it is called 'fearlessness'. Whether in principle or in phenomena, nothing is not like an illusion; hence it is called 'illusory transformation'. Bodhisattvas accord with the intention of the Buddha's teachings, thereby comprehending that the verbal nature of all dharmas cannot be apprehended; hence it is said that they 'skillfully study and clearly understand'.