淨名玄論 8.5

8.5

Question: Earlier it was said, 'The categories of sentient beings are the bodhisattva's buddha land,' and later it was said, 'The straight mind is the bodhisattva's buddha land.' It is not yet clear where the intent of these two statements of 'is' lies; please explain it. Answer: The Avataṃsaka Sūtra says: 'Sons of the Buddha! It is accomplished through causes and conditions as numerous as the dust motes of a world.' Now, to explain: this sūtra essentially only explains taking a land, which has two meanings: first, the conditions for taking the land; second, the causes for taking the land. The former explains the conditions for taking the land. Because there are sentient beings, the bodhisattva takes the land; speaking of the fruition in terms of the conditions, it is therefore said that 'the categories of sentient beings are the bodhisattva's buddha land.' The latter explains the causes for taking the land. Although it is due to sentient beings, the bodhisattva must generate the causes for taking the land; speaking of the fruition in terms of the causes, it is therefore said that 'the straight mind is the bodhisattva's buddha land.' Therefore, the two statements of 'is' differ according to cause and condition.