大毘盧遮那成佛經疏 4.8

4.8

The sūtra says: "First, one should pay homage to all tathāgatas, and with such verses arouse the earth deity." When the ācārya is about to arouse the earth deity, he first directs his mind to contemplate Mahāvairocana's inexhaustible adorned body pervasively filling the dharmadhātu. All tathāgatas of the ten directions and the three times are likewise: each inexhaustible adorned body pervasively fills the dharmadhātu. From the bodhisattvas of the ten abidings up to the first bhūmi, their partially realized adorned bodies are immeasurable and boundless, filling the dharmadhātu without any gap, like oil in sesame seeds. One should visualize this body reaching everywhere before all the holy ones, paying sincere homage with the three karmas purified. Having obtained immeasurable merit through this condition, he should then bestow it upon that disciple with an unperverted mind, wishing that, free from hindrances and difficulties, he may swiftly attain unsurpassed bodhi. Next, he should recite verses to arouse the earth deity. As when Śākyamuni Buddha first sat at the bodhimaṇḍa, he addressed the demon king, saying: "Because in a former life you performed a single inexhaustible giving, you have now obtained the body of the sovereign heavenly lord. But over immeasurable kalpas, I have practiced such great giving beyond count, even not begrudging my own flesh, hands, and feet. How can you contend with me in superiority?" Māra said: "As for the merit I made, you have already borne witness. Who will bear witness to your meritorious deeds? If there is no witness, you fall into defeat." At that time, the Bodhisattva extended his right hand to point to the earth and spoke true words: "I originally practiced the bodhisattva path on this ground, performing various difficult practices and austerities; the earth deity witnesses and knows this." One should know that this pointing is precisely the body mystery mudrā. At that time, immeasurable earth deities welled up from the earth, revealed their half-bodies, and bore witness; because of this, the demon king's hosts retreated and dispersed. Now, because the ācārya wishes to cause the disciple to inherit the tathāgata's position before long, he likewise uses this mudrā to arouse the earth deity. At that time, that earth deity gives rise to great praise and joy, thinking: "Now this Buddha-son is able to establish a great cause and condition, and to protect us and keep us from harm and distress, he awakens us. I should use upāya to protect him and also cause him to be free from all māra-karma." Through the power of these conditions, this ground is made identical to vajra. The ārṣa verse spoken is called the naturally accomplished mantra. When performing the ritual, one should recite the Sanskrit text, which is now fully recorded. Recite it seven times, pressing the ground with the five wheels of the right hand.