大毘盧遮那經供養次第法疏 2.14

2.14

4. Section on Visualising and Drawing Śākyamuni. "Within it" means the central platform of the eight-petaled lotus. "Contemplating the syllable BHA": the Sanskrit syllable is placed upon that platform. "Diligent and valiant" is an alternate name for the Buddha. "Kāṣāya robe" is of Gandhāra color. "Four times eight" means the thirty-two marks of a Buddha. Section on Śākyamuni's Seed-Syllable Hṛdaya-Mantra. BHA is the three existences; having two dots beside it means the elimination of the three existences. "Yoga" means the practitioner's contemplating mind and the contemplated iṣṭadevatā: because they are not separate, and because subject and object are distinct. For a practitioner of sign-based contemplation, body and mind are immediately the Buddha; hence it is the section of recitation without thought. "Entering" means understanding. Regarding "original body": the emanation body that is sent forth is immediately the honoured one Vairocana, so essence and function are not distinct. Hence the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says, "The emanation body is immediately the Dharmakāya"; this is its meaning. Regarding "flowing forth": whether many or few, all are likewise so. Regarding "upon the lotus to the Buddha's right": for one who takes a bodhisattva as the iṣṭadevatā, it is their own iṣṭadevatā. "Holder" means having a vajra in hand; hence called Vajradhara. Regarding "in the flower platforms in front and behind": not only in front and behind, but to the left and right is also acceptable. Why? Because the great retinue of bodhisattvas has no fixed location. The vajra retinue is not only in the left and right directions, but also in the ten directions. Why? Because the inner retinue of vajra[dhara]s represents the Tathāgata's inner virtues. Question: If so, why is a direction mentioned? Answer: Because of the limitations of the space where the painting is made. This sūtra says: "The bodhisattvas of the ten directions, from whichever direction they come, sit in full-lotus posture and listen to the teaching of the Dharma; the vajradharas do likewise." This should be reflected upon with mindful care. "Mantrin" means the person performing recitation. "Where one resides" is at the lower right corner of the painted image ground. Question: Must one paint all the Buddhas completely? Answer: No. One with sufficient means may complete them all; for one without means, even painting the iṣṭadevatā alone is difficult, let how much more so completing them all.