無量壽經連義述文贊 2.30

2.30

On the passage in the sūtra from "arousing great compassion" to "bestowing [them] upon the multitude": The commentary states: This subsequent [part] is the cultivation of benefiting others. It has three parts: first, the doctrine. "Compassionately pitying sentient beings with great compassion" is the practice of uprooting suffering. "Expounding benevolent eloquence to bestow the Dharma-eye" is the practice of granting joy. "Eloquence" refers to the eloquence of delight in speech. Preaching the Dharma with a benevolent and concentrated mind is called "expounding benevolent eloquence." Practicing in accordance with the teaching, one will certainly enter the noble stages and attain the purification of the Dharma-eye; hence it says "bestowing the Dharma-eye." The Dharma-eye is the wisdom eye, named after its substance. Preaching the Dharma with a mind concentrated in compassion to uproot the suffering of the three paths is called "blocking the three destinies." "Blocking" means closing off. Expounding benevolent eloquence to cause them to cultivate human and heavenly karma is called "opening the gates of goodness." In "bestowing upon the multitude," one serves a father with only respect, and one also has love for a mother; thus benevolence is like respecting a father, because joy is venerable, while compassion is like loving a mother, because suffering is pitiable. "Viewing all sentient beings as oneself" is the subsequent synthesis. "As oneself" means as one's own only child, just as the Nirvāṇa-sūtra says: "Viewing all sentient beings as like an only child." This is because benevolence, compassion, and pity are all directed toward them as toward one's own child.