大乘起信論內義略探記 1.72

1.72

Sixth, differences in what is seen. Seeing this Śākyamuni differs according to various capacities: some see the Buddha as an ash-body, like the five hundred brahmins; some see the Buddha as a three-foot body with black elephant feet, like the elder Gujīra; some see the Buddha as a tree spirit or deva spirit, like the elder Trapuṣa. These three [visions] are all because of seeing the Buddha through habituations of the three evil destinies. Next, in human and deva positions, some see the body of an arhat sage, like the five people including Kaundinya and Kāśyapa. Some see him as both ordinary and noble: because it is a real reward body born of parents and formed of the four great elements, it is identical to the ordinary; possessing the fivefold dharmakāya and all outflows being exhausted, it is noble. Some see him as neither ordinary nor noble: because it is subsumed by the three bodies of the Mahāyāna, it is not the same as ordinary or Hīnayāna. Or he is a transformation body, not reward or dharmakāya: because he possesses the eight aspects [of attaining the Way] and is in Jambudvīpa. The apex of the form realm is established distinctly, for that is the real reward [body], as explained in the Brahmajāla-sūtra and others; this sūtra accords with the initial teaching. Or he is the reward body, not dharmakāya or transformation: this very body is endowed with twenty-one kinds of superior virtues, because it is an enjoyment body, as explained in the Buddhabhūmi-sūtra; this pertains to the final teaching. Or he is the dharmakāya, not reward or transformation: because form is identical to tathatā; the Nirvāṇa-sūtra says, 'My body now is the dharmakāya'; this accords with the sudden teaching. Or he is not dharmakāya, not reward, and not transformation: because he is the ten buddhas, encompasses the three kinds of worlds, and is fully endowed with master and retinue; this accords with the perfect teaching. Therefore, the body of Śākyamuni is harmoniously fused and unobstructed, exceedingly difficult to conceive.