大乘起信論內義略探記 1.71

1.71

Fifth, the number of marks and minor characteristics. According to the Hīnayāna, the thirty-two marks and eighty minor characteristics are said to be the virtues of the real retribution. According to the initial teaching, the eighty-four thousand marks are said to be real, as explained in the 'Chapter on Transcending the World'; this applies to both the initial and final [teachings]. Furthermore, in the Buddhabhūmi-sūtra twenty-one superior virtues are explained; this refers to the final teaching. Within the sudden teaching, no distinction of marks and minor characteristics is spoken of. According to the perfect teaching, there are marks and minor characteristics numerous as the fine dust particles of ten Lotus Treasury Oceans of Worlds, each mark and minor characteristic pervading the dharmadhātu, and the operations of function are likewise. The reason ten is spoken of is to reveal the meaning of inexhaustibility, as in the 'Chapter on the Ocean of Marks'. Furthermore, in the Guanfo sanmei jing, the buddha-marks and minor characteristics are categorized into three according to these three lineages. That sūtra says: 'Regarding the abridged among abridged, I now, for this assembly and for King Śuddhodana, briefly explain the marks and minor characteristics. The Buddha was born among humans to show conformity with human affairs; to conform with human marks, thirty-two marks are spoken of; to surpass all devas, eighty minor characteristics are spoken of; for all bodhisattvas, eighty-four thousand wondrous marks and minor characteristics are spoken of. Regarding the Buddha's real marks and characteristics, when I first attained the Way in the site of extinction and tranquility in Magadha, for Samantabhadra, Bhadraśrī, and all the other great bodhisattvas, in the Za hua jing I already discriminated them extensively.' The interpretation is: Here, the thirty-two marks and so forth correspond to the abridged of the abridged, which is for humans, devas, the two vehicles, and so on, corresponding to the first; the eighty-four thousand and so forth corresponds in meaning to merely abridged, which is for the bodhisattvas of the three vehicles and so on, corresponding to the second; the Buddha's real marks and characteristics, as spoken of in the Za hua jing, corresponds in meaning to the extensive explanation, referring to the 'Chapter on the Ocean of Marks' in the Avataṃsaka-sūtra.