金光明最勝王經疏 4.56

4.56

Below is the metaphor for concentration (samādhi). First is the metaphor, next the application to the dharma, and finally the conclusion. The metaphor has four parts: 1. The pavilion metaphor: the four dhyānas and eight concentrations possess the seven supreme qualities, like an adornment of seven jewels. Furthermore, the dhyāna-concentrations have the seven noble treasures as companions and the seven branches of morality as their cause, so they are compared to a seven-jeweled multistoried pavilion. A multistoried building (lou) is a pavilion (guan). Moreover, what is narrow, tall, and winding is called a lou; a guan refers to watchtowers (que). Que are the twin towers at a palace gate. 2. The four stairways illustrate giving rise to the mind, cultivating concentration, and all other practices having four kinds of greatness, as in the *Sūtrālaṅkāra*: "The bodhisattva's arising of the mind has four kinds of greatness: first, greatness of courage, meaning the great vow of vīrya, being profound and difficult to perform, persisting continuously over a long time; second, greatness of upāya, meaning putting on the armor of the great vow, constantly exerting diligence through upāya; third, greatness of benefit, meaning working for the benefit of self and others at all times; fourth, greatness of definitive emergence, meaning seeking unexcelled bodhi." Therefore, relying on these four one can proceed to bodhi, just like four stairways. Or, the unconditioned four truths are called "avenues" in the *Mahāprajñāpāramitā-sūtra*. 3. The cool breeze illustrates the ability to eliminate the burning heat of the afflictions. 4. "Blowing into the four gates": the four gates illustrate the four contemplations of permanence, bliss, self, and purity. According to other places, concentration is explained as the cause of the virtue of bliss; here speaking in general terms, when the Buddha completely initiates and cultivates the four causes, he will be able to realize them, hence it says "one experiences peaceful and steady bliss." "Seeking the fulfillment of the dharma-treasury of dhyāna" is merely the general application to the dharma. From "this is called" downward is the conclusion, hence the metaphor of blowing into the gates. In the *Sūtrālaṅkāra*, it is compared to the king of mountains, unmoving and indistracted, which generally illustrates its intrinsic nature; here it generally illustrates the distinctions.