維摩經略疏 2.24

2.24

From "Just as..." to "...the great ocean" is the second [part], illustrating by metaphor. "Mount Sumeru" is translated here as "serene and bright," and also as "wondrously high"; not only is it wondrously high, it is also wondrously vast. It illustrates the Buddha's true retribution particularly venerable body reaching the pinnacle of true reality, hence called "wondrously high." His merit and wisdom pervade the entire Dharma realm, hence called "wondrously vast." "Eminently revealed in the great ocean" reveals the good roots of the four assemblies and four gates having affinity in this assembly, and also reveals the ocean of birth and death of all sentient beings. Just as the mountain stands steadfast in the azure sea, rising prominently above the ocean, the Buddha neither abides in birth and death nor abandons birth and death: not abiding is like the mountain towering aloft; not abandoning is like its shadow appearing in the great ocean. Just as the ocean water does not possess those four colors of itself, yet due to the mountain appearing there come to be four colors, this clarifies that the minds of sentient beings are not the four gates, yet the Buddha, through the expedients of the siddhāntas, preaches the four gates to cause the unwholesome mind to be lost. The original characteristic accords with the understanding of the four gates, with no other understanding.