維摩經略疏 6.41

6.41

"Benevolence reaches sentient beings": second, in terms of the practice of converting others. The four equanimities are the mind that benefits creatures and the foremost of all practices. "Benevolence is the place of awakening": the bodhisattva of the initial mind attains true objectless benevolence, departs from the delusion of anger in the dharma-realm, and reveals the dharmakāya of true benevolence; this is the place of awakening. Universally covering the dharma-realm, this is "equal to sentient beings." "Compassion is the place of awakening": the bodhisattva of the initial mind abides in objectless compassion; internally, exhaustion and suffering are destroyed, and the true dharmakāya is revealed; this is the place of awakening. Though remaining in the three realms, their mind is without exhaustion or suffering while rescuing sentient beings. "Joy is the place of awakening": the bodhisattva of the initial mind attains the immeasurable mind of true objectless joy, destroys the sickness of joylessness in the dharma-realm, and reveals the dharmakāya of true joy; this is the place of awakening. Rejoicing that sentient beings leave suffering and attain joy, this is "delighting in the Dharma." "Equanimity is the place of awakening": the bodhisattva of the initial mind abides in the stage of emptiness and equality, immediately destroys affection and aversion, and reveals the true empty-space dharmakāya; this is the place of awakening. Though benefiting sentient beings, the mind is without grasping or rejecting; this is affection and aversion being eternally severed. "Supernormal powers are the place of awakening": these are the methods capable of transforming [others]. At the initial mind, one immediately attains the purity of the six sense faculties and true supernormal power as one wills, destroying the defilement of ignorance that obstructs powers in the sense faculties, and revealing the truly pure six sense faculties of the dharma-nature; this is the place of awakening. This is accomplishing the six supernormal powers and converting creatures according to their needs. "Liberation is the place of awakening": because supernormal powers are achieved through liberation, it is explained next. The Bodhisattvabhūmi states: "Only when a bodhisattva attains all dhyānas can they transcend the limits of the liberation of the two vehicles and enter." If the initial mind enters the samādhi of the three truths, this is the twenty-five samādhis, removing the sinful defilements and afflictions of the twenty-five states of existence, and revealing the true nature of the self in the twenty-five states of existence; this is the place of awakening. Because in the cause they can turn away from and renounce the three realms, they attain the eight liberations and the twenty-five samādhis. "Expedient means is the place of awakening": this is the skill in converting others. In the center of the initial mind, there is the expedient means of doubly illuminating the two truths, destroying ignorance as vast as the sands of the Ganges, and revealing all expedient Dharma gates; this is the place of awakening. Being able to manifest provisional skill through the three wheels of inconceivable transformation and the three mysteries, they teach and convert all sentient beings. "The four means of embracing are the place of awakening": the four means of embracing are the methods of using expedient means to convert creatures, as explained in the "Expedient Means" chapter. Embracing sentient beings through giving, kind words, beneficial action, and common cause, they lead them to attain liberation.