大般涅槃經集解 20.86

20.86

Fayao states: Bodhisattvas of the ten abodes must hear the Nirvāṇa Sūtra before they can faintly see a little of the buddhadhātu. From here down it explains that although hearing the Nirvāṇa Sūtra, they cannot yet obtain correct faith; they merely have it and that is all. Baoliang states: Seeking the meaning in accordance with the text, this is truly difficult. How could those whose practice has stepped onto the Dharma Cloud still not know that the buddhadhātu exists, needing the Buddha's preaching before they can see it? This refers to the thirty minds prior to the stages: the first ten minds are called the ten abodes, the twentieth mind is called the ten practices, and the thirtieth mind is called the ten dedications. Even if a bodhisattva cultivates austerities for immeasurable kalpas, if they do not hear the Nirvāṇa Sūtra, the five roots headed by faith can never be established; the time when the root of faith is established is precisely at the thirtieth mind. This practitioner must have the Buddha preach the nature of cause and effect before they can step into the head of faith. As discussed above, the bodhisattvas of the ten abodes clearly are not those of the Dharma Cloud. Saying they 'see a little' means that after hearing the Buddha's preaching, their faith and wisdom gradually brighten, hence it is called 'seeing a little.'