無量壽經連義述文贊 2.7

2.7

The sūtra says: from "just like an illusionist" up to "performing as willed in the mind." The commentary states: This second part praises the skillfulness of transformation. There are two: this initial part is the simile. Bodhisattvas manifesting transformations skillfully conform to what is suitable for beings, so they can be called 'illusionists'. The transformed appearances they manifest are like displaying various images; the virtues that produce the transformations are like the thorough mastery of their original training. The methods of transformation take practice and training as their foundation, hence called 'original'. Studying them comprehensively and skillfully, it is called 'thorough mastery in training'. Once the training is accomplished and transformations arise, they act as they will, hence called 'performing as willed in the mind'. Master Yuan said: "When training is accomplished and function arises, the accomplishment lies in the mind," hence called 'in the mind'; and "transforming at will," hence called 'performing'. This is probably incorrect: before training is accomplished it is also in the mind, hence I do not retain it here.