請觀音經疏闡義鈔 3.29

3.29

"Methods of repentance": In repentance methods there are three kinds, namely, ritual enactment, taking signs, and non-arising. The first two are phenomenal; the latter one is of principle. In the present sūtra, burning incense, scattering flowers, throwing the five limbs to the ground, and so forth, are ritual enactment. Seeing in one's present body the Buddha reaching out his hand, swiftly beholding Avalokiteśvara, and so forth, are taking signs. Entering completely into the boundary of true reality is non-arising. These ten points are all ritual enactment; the contemplation on the principle of non-arising must not be forgotten for a single instant, and the one type—taking signs—manifests spontaneously. Practitioners of the present age all obscure the source of the mind and exclusively seek auspicious signs; seeking based upon this, it is feared, falls into the realm of Māra. Therefore the Chanmen says: "Now as for seeing signs: when they appear suddenly, it is still difficult to know whether they are heterodox or correct. If one follows the text to generate the intention to seek them, one mostly becomes possessed by Māra. Question: If so, should one not contemplate signs to repent? Answer: In contemplating signs, one merely focuses one's mind on practicing the path; when one's work succeeds, the signs manifest. One takes this to determine [the result], and thereby knows that the sins have been eliminated. It does not mean that at the time of practicing the path, one's mind dwells on the matter of the signs and gives rise to grasping and attachment. If one focuses the mind like this, it will certainly mostly turn into the work of Māra (the above is the text of the Chanmen)."