四分律行事鈔資持記 1.1005

1.1005

湯偈中，初句明事用，已下寄事表法以立要誓。次二句遠期果德。上句法身，具兼理事二種；下句二德，可解。末句攝生同證，即自他兩利。會即證也。法界差別，同歸一體，故云融也。又解：淨水表斷惡，復是因行；香湯表修善，故祈果德。前因後果，並兼利生。

In the hot-water verse, the first line explains its practical use, and from that point onward it uses the practical matter to represent the Dharma in establishing an essential vow. The next two lines look forward to the distant fruit-virtues. The upper line is the dharmakāya, which encompasses both the principle and phenomena; the lower line refers to the two virtues [of prajñā and vimukti], which are easily understood. The final line embraces living beings to realize it together, which is the mutual benefit of self and other. "Joining" means realizing. The differences of the dharma-realm all return to a single essence, hence it says "harmonious integration." Another explanation: clean water symbolizes cutting off evil, which is the causal practice; fragrant hot water symbolizes cultivating good, hence praying for the fruit-virtue. The former is cause and the latter is fruit, both encompassing the benefiting of living beings.