維摩經略疏 3.30

3.30

The nine matters from "Though wearing [the white robes]" below are transformation without words, which is the secret of the body, practicing non-paths to penetrate the Buddha path and expediently benefit beings. First, saying "Though wearing the white robes" is descending into traces; "yet cultivating the conduct of a śramaṇa" leads them back to the fundamental. A śramaṇa is called "non-attachment" and is also called "diligent practice"; the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra says, "The Tathāgata is the great śramaṇa," which is manifesting as a śramaṇa in the four teachings. The "vinaya" measures the light and heavy; measuring the lightness and heaviness of the defilements of sin in the four teachings is entirely to lead beings back to the fundamental of Quiescent Light. This transformation without words secretly rebukes those who have left the household life and secretly encourages householders. Regarding secretly rebuking: the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra says, "Though they dye their robes, their minds are not yet dyed"; that is, they are not yet dyed by the Dharma of the Mahāyāna of the four teachings, so though they are śramaṇas, they are called white-robed. Secretly encouraging means: why is it necessary to dye one's robes? Just cause the mind to be dyed and establish the conduct of a śramaṇa, which is the cause of the inconceivable pure land. Is this not transformation without words accomplishing the teaching of the pure land? When Vimalakīrti later attains buddhahood, the sentient beings gathered will come to be born in his land; these are all expedient means supporting and completing the buddha-land, the meaning of which is fully evident. However, the chapter on the Buddha-Land explains that expedient means are the bodhisattva's pure land, and when the bodhisattva attains buddhahood, sentient beings fully endowed with expedient means will come to be born in his land; that merely indicates the name. Now, Vimalakīrti occasions the teaching by relying on illness, and those who praise his virtue fully set forth twenty-nine matters, opening the genesis of praising Vimalakīrti's expedient means; therefore we know expedient means are immeasurable. The meaning of expedient means in the chapter on the Buddha-Land becomes evident only when seen in this chapter. In terms of the contemplation of mind: the white-robed faithful of the present day, such as elders, county magistrates, prefects, and rulers of states, who are able to sever evil and cultivate wholesomeness, practice the threefold contemplation in one mind, remain untainted by desires, and whose contemplative practice is clear and pure—this is "though wearing the white robes, upholding the conduct of a śramaṇa." In the eight lines below, the first half is always descending into traces, and the second half is returning to the fundamental.