大毘盧遮那經供養次第法疏 1.41

1.41

From "The letter RA is pure white in color" onwards is the fourteenth, the letter RAṂ mantra gateway; it also has verses and a mantra. The first verse explains the place where it is positioned. In this, the first line indicates the pure, clear color and form of the letter's essence, while the next line explains the method and application of adorning the letter. "Like that" refers to the vajra. The next line reveals the place where the reciter positions the RAṂ. From "Even throughout a hundred kalpas" onwards, one verse reveals the benefit obtained by the reciter. RA represents stain; having a dot on top signifies great emptiness. This means being free from stain and identical with great emptiness; it has the meaning of the mind of the dharmadhātu and is also called the stainless letter; this is what is meant by the mantra being identical with the dharmadhātu. That is to say, outside the true dharmadhātu, this mantra has no place from which it comes. Therefore below it says that immeasurable offenses are eliminated, revealing the virtue and function of the mantra. The two lines "Before long..." and so forth explain the stage attained by the upholder of the mantra. The two lines "All places of contact and defilement..." and so forth explain the method of using it to adorn the body when the reciter enters or leaves defiled places. The two lines "Red color..." and so forth describe the appearance of the blazing light encircling the letter RAṂ. The letter uses the Indic script. According to the "Chapter on the Ritual of Offerings", it says: "Contemplate the letter RA present before you, / fully adorned with a dot." This means a pure garland of flames blazing brilliantly like the rays of the morning sun. The "Chapter on the Rules of Recitation" says: "The letter RAṂ has the glow of the morning sun, / glowing red within a triangle; / empowering the position of the original heart, / this is called the light of wisdom-fire." The "Chapter on Mantras for Entering the Maṇḍala with Requisites" says: "Bearing the stainless letter upon the crown, / adorned with the dot of great emptiness, / revolving and displaying a garland of flames, / from the letter-gateway white light arises, / streaming forth like the full moon." The Commentary states: Again, one contemplates atop his crown a letter RA, with a dot positioned above the letter; hence it is said, "adorned with the dot of great emptiness"—this is the letter RAṂ. On its four sides it is completely surrounded by blazing light, like a flower garland linked without interruption. From within the letter, white light also streams forth everywhere, like the radiance of a pure full moon. Because one is empowered by this mind of the pure dharmadhātu, it can eliminate all internal and external obstacles, having the meaning of moistening and benefiting. The "Chapter on the Manifestation of Siddhi" says: "The foremost characteristic of gathering and eliminating, / positioned with the dot of great emptiness: / the letter RA is truly supreme and real; / the Buddha said it is the highest among fires." The Commentary states: Next, the obstacle-eliminating maṇḍala of the letter RA is explained; among those that eliminate obstacles, it is the foremost, true dharma. This letter RA is the reddest of the red, the fire of fires, the burning of burnings, because it can burn away various afflictions, karmas, and sufferings. Even if one currently commits the five offenses of immediate retribution, if one cultivates this letter gateway, one can also purify and eliminate them without any remainder. Once the offenses are eliminated, all wholesome merits are born, having the meaning of manifestation.