維摩經略疏 10.4

10.4

The purpose of this chapter's coming is precisely that within the room, where neither the real nor the existent was clarified, the path and contemplation can flow together, purity and defilement can both be manifested, perfect penetration is unimpeded, and blending occurs without fixed limits; entering the non-dual gate, one dispels both extremes and properly enters the Middle Way. This chapter illuminates both of the two truths and fuses purity and defilement together, expanding upon the earlier text on neither real nor provisional, establishing the meaning of the twin flow of path and contemplation, and revealing the function of unhindered, perfect penetration. The present text differs from the earlier function of illuminating both of the two truths. Earlier, in the 'Chapter on Inquiring after the Illness', it did not yet fully explain the twofold function or conclude with the complete enumeration of practices of the bodhisattva path—that 'although knowing that all buddha-lands are eternally tranquil like space, they manifest various pure buddha-lands: this is the bodhisattva's practice.' The present text returns to explain those two functions, clarifying the mutual interpenetration of the pure and defiled lands. Throughout the text, the meaning of the pure land is explained at every point; hence we know that from beginning to end, this sūtra thoroughly explains and accomplishes the causes and effects of the buddha-lands, and its meaning is manifest. Since this text clarifies that the practices of the pure and defiled lands are thus, all other practices are likewise; this is adduced to illustrate the rest. Therefore, this chapter has come.