華嚴經內章門等雜孔目章 4.31

4.31

Regarding the function of the minor marks: the main idea in the text is to clarify that the minor marks of the Ekayāna possess extremely great function. This is because the merits of the minor marks of the Ekayāna are 'one is all', corresponding to the dharmadhātu. For this reason, the merits of the minor marks in a single moment cause immeasurable sentient beings to emerge from the three evil destinies, be born in the heavens, and spontaneously receive instruction upon perceiving a voice in the sky. In this single body, they immediately sever the eighty-four thousand afflictions; their intrinsic capacity and superior progress are all completely fulfilled, simultaneously extending to oneself and others, together realizing the vimalasamādhi of the ten stages, with only feeling and perception excepted. Just as it is so in a single moment, it is also thus in other moments. Since time is subtle like Indra's [net], saving sentient beings with mastery is also like this. Possessing such great benefit, its minor marks are raised to distinguish their superiority through contrast; one should know that the major marks are inexpressibly inexpressible. In the text of this chapter, the intention lies in the great function, not in explaining individual minor marks; this should be understood. The remaining meanings are as in the separate chapter.