勸發菩提心集 3.60

3.60

The *Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra* states that seeking the Dharma has four causes: first, for physical form; second, for non-physical form; third, for supernormal powers; fourth, for the true Dharma. 'For physical form' because it is the cause of the marks and signs. 'For non-physical form' because it is the cause of eliminating the sickness of afflictions. 'For supernormal powers' because it is the cause of mastery. 'For the true Dharma' because it is the cause of inexhaustibility. As the *Brahmaviśeṣacintiparipṛcchā-sūtra* states, a bodhisattva who seeks the Dharma is endowed with four marks: first, the notion of an exquisite jewel, because it is difficult to obtain; second, the notion of good medicine, because it eliminates sickness; third, the notion of wealth, because it is not dispersed; fourth, the notion of nirvāṇa, because suffering is extinguished. Because the Dharma is the cause of the adornment of the marks and signs, it is like the notion of an exquisite jewel. Because the Dharma is the cause of eliminating the sickness of afflictions, it is like the notion of good medicine. Because the Dharma is the cause of mastery of supernormal powers, it is like the notion of wealth. Because the Dharma is the cause of the inexhaustibility of the true Dharma, it is like the notion of nirvāṇa.