大般涅槃經疏 1.28

1.28

The 'Twin Śāla Trees' translates as 'firm and solid'. There were two trunks in each direction, eight trunks in all four directions, all fifty feet high, four withered and four flourishing. Below, their roots were interconnected; above, their branches joined together. In joining they resembled entwined boughs, while their flourishing and withering resembled yields of mutual deference. Their leaves were lush, their blossoms like carriage wheels, their fruit as large as jars, their sweetness like honey, complete with colour, fragrance, and flavour. Because of these eight trees, it was collectively called one grove, signifying firmness and solidity. Regarding this single city, there are various ways of seeing. If one sees it as made of earth and stone, it is the dwelling place of humans—the worldly meaning. If one sees it as impermanence, suffering, emptiness, arising and passing away, it is the dwelling place of the two vehicles. If one sees it as the place of giving rise to the bodhimind, the place of encountering past buddhas, the place of vows, the place of cultivating concentration, and so forth, it is the dwelling place of bodhisattvas. If one sees it as the four virtues complete, ultimate, fully endowed, manifested to people out of compassion: the grass-built city represents permanence, the wrestlers represent self, the auspicious river represents purity, and between the trees represents bliss. Furthermore, each single matter represents the four virtues: that the city cannot be destroyed represents permanence, its abundance represents bliss, warding off enemies represents self, and being without hardships represents purity. That the wrestlers are subject to no one represents permanence, their peace of mind represents bliss, their physical strength represents self, and their pleasing appearance represents purity. As for the river, its constant flowing represents permanence, its golden sands represent purity, its refreshing coolness represents bliss, and its auspicious fortune represents self. As for the trees, a lower passage says: 'The eastern pair represents permanence, the southern pair represents bliss, the western pair represents self, and the northern pair represents purity. Moreover, the paired luxuriant growth represents permanence, the cool shade represents self, the flowers represent purity, and the fruit represents bliss.' If one can discern the four virtues generally and specifically, that is the dwelling place of the buddhas. If it is held that those who heard together are mortal beings seen by ordinary persons; if held that they are noble ones seen by the two vehicles; if held that they are seen by bodhisattvas who have ascended the bhūmis; if held that they are eight of the nine buddhas, that is, seen by the buddhas. If one grasps this meaning, one should interpret each and every phrase below in this manner.