維摩義記 1.69

1.69

Below is the main body of the text. In it, [the teachings] are distinguished briefly through five gates: first, distinguishing according to the ordinary beings and noble ones being transformed; second, distinguishing according to the ordinary beings, two-vehicle followers, and bodhisattvas being taught; third, distinguishing according to the manifestation of Vimalakīrti's virtue; fourth, distinguishing according to the causes and effects revealed; fifth, explaining according to the text. First, regarding the distinction of the ordinary beings and noble ones being transformed: up through this entire chapter, the teaching of dharmas for ordinary beings is clarified through ordinary people asking after his illness. From the chapter "Disciples" onward, the teaching of the virtuous and noble is clarified through noble ones asking after his illness; within this, he first contrasts their incompetence to reveal what was taught in the past. From the chapter "Asking After the Illness" onward, he faces those who are competent to clarify what is taught at present. This finishes one gate. Regarding the distinction according to the ordinary beings, two vehicles, and bodhisattvas being taught: up through this entire chapter, the teaching is the dharma of ordinary beings. The second chapter teaches the dharma of śrāvakas. From the bodhisattvas asking after the illness through the chapter "Fragrance Accumulated", he teaches the dharma of bodhisattvas. Within this, he first invokes their incompetence to reveal the essential nature of dharmas; from the chapter "Asking After the Illness" onward, he faces those who are competent to clarify the marks of practice. This finishes these two gates. Regarding the distinction of Vimalakīrti's manifestation of virtue: from the beginning through the chapter on bodhisattvas asking after the illness, he broadly brings up Vimalakīrti's skillful discourse that is difficult to rival, revealing his superiority in wisdom. From the chapter "Asking After the Illness" onward, he broadly reveals Vimalakīrti's supernatural transformations that are hard to fathom, clarifying his superiority in supernormal powers. In subtle reality, both permeate [all parts], but this is a rough distinction. This finishes three gates. Regarding the distinction according to the causes and effects revealed, causes and effects are twofold: first, the cause and effect of the dharmakāya; second, the cause and effect of the pure land. From the beginning through the chapter "Entering the Gate of Nonduality", he clarifies the cause and effect of the dharmakāya; the single chapter "Fragrance Accumulated" clarifies the cause and effect of the pure land. Within the cause and effect of the dharmakāya, it is divided into three according to the persons: in this chapter, he reveals the cause and effect of the dharmakāya to transform ordinary beings. The eternal, blissful Buddha body is the effect of the dharmakāya; being born from limitless virtues and so forth is the cause of the dharmakāya. In the chapter "Disciples", he reveals the cause and effect of the dharmakāya to transform śrāvakas, clarifying the cause of the dharmakāya to the first nine persons, and revealing the effect of the dharmakāya to the last person. From the bodhisattvas asking after the illness through the gate of nonduality, he reveals the cause and effect of the dharmakāya to teach the bodhisattvas. First, Maitreya clarifies that the virtues of a bodhisattva are the effect of the dharmakāya: first adorning oneself, and afterwards clarifying the cause of the dharmakāya. In clarifying the cause, he first contrasts their incompetence to elucidate the forms of practice; from the chapter "Asking After the Illness" onward, he clarifies the marks of perfected cultivation in relation to those who are competent. This is a rough distinction of the cause and effect of the dharmakāya. In clarifying the cause and effect of the pure land: the beginning of the chapter "Fragrance Accumulated" clarifies the effect of the pure land, revealed through Fragrance Accumulated Tathāgata; the end of the chapter "Fragrance Accumulated" clarifies the cause of the pure land through practicing the ten [dharmas] and practicing the eight [dharmas]. Such is what is revealed.