維摩義記 1.52

1.52

From here below is the third [subdivision], further explaining the meaning of taking a Buddha land for the sake of sentient beings. First it questions, and then it explains. As for the question: the question has two intentions. The first asks: since the bodhisattva attains the land and is personally at ease, why does one specifically say it is for the sake of sentient beings? The second asks: the wisdom that contemplates emptiness and refutes characteristics can cure the fault of defilement and obtain a pure land; [yet] being for the sake of sentient beings is a mind that grasps at existence—why then can it attain a pure land? Below, it responds and explains it, explaining the two intentions separately. Bodhisattvas taking a country are entirely for the sake of benefiting sentient beings: this explains the first intention. Although upon attaining it they are personally at ease, the intention of taking the land is fundamentally for the sake of sentient beings; hence it is said that they take the land for the sake of sentient beings. From "Just as a person" downward, it explains the latter intention. What is the sense of the explanation? The pure land is the fruit of their virtues; it cannot be accomplished by emptiness alone. Therefore, being for the sake of sentient beings, they are able to attain a pure land. First an analogy, and then the application. "Just as a person wishing to build a palace on empty ground does so according to his intention without hindrance": this sets forth its success in the positive sense. The person is an analogy for the bodhisattva; cultivating and bringing forth the pure land is called building a palace. Cultivating wisdom by relying on emptiness and arousing compassion by relying on existence is called "empty ground." Seeking the land by using this, attaining the land is not difficult; this is called "without hindrance." "If relying on empty space, in the end it cannot be accomplished": this sets forth failure to demonstrate virtue. If one abandons existence and has pure emptiness, there is no sense of attaining a land, and thus it cannot be accomplished. Below is the application to demonstrate the Dharma: first it applies to the preceding success. The bodhisattva corresponds to the person; discerning the Dharma as identical to the analogy, it says "Thus." Being for the sake of accomplishing sentient beings corresponds to the ground; "empty" is omitted and not applied. Vowing to take a Buddha country corresponds to building a palace; "according to his intention without hindrance" is omitted and not applied. "Vowing to take a Buddha country is not done in emptiness" applies to the latter failure: pure emptiness cannot accomplish it, and therefore it says "not."