華嚴經明法品內立三寶章 1.14

1.14

First, explaining the general name. "Three" is a number, and "Jewel" is a metaphorical meaning; establishing the name from the meaning of number, this is a compound incorporating number (dvigu). Furthermore, "jewel" has the meaning of being precious. According to the Ratnagotravibhāga, a jewel has six meanings: first, rarity—like worldly rare jewels, being difficult to obtain, because sentient beings without good roots cannot obtain them even through hundreds of thousands of kalpas. Second, undefiledness—like worldly rare jewels which are pure and undefiled; the Three Jewels are also like this, because they are free from all contaminated phenomena. Third, power—like a worldly jewel placed into turbid water which causes the water to become clear and pure; the Three Jewels are also like this, because possessing virtues such as the six superknowledges, they cause sentient beings to clarify the three turbidities of afflictions, karma, and suffering, and achieve pure faith, wisdom, and so forth. Fourth, ornamentation—like worldly rare jewels that can rain down jewels to adorn sentient beings; the Three Jewels are also like this, adorning the practitioner's supramundane practice. Fifth, supremacy—like worldly rare jewels that are the most exquisite among all things; the Three Jewels are also like this, surpassing the mundane world. Sixth, unchangeability—like worldly rare jewels whose essence is real and therefore cannot be altered; the Three Jewels are also like this, because having attained uncontaminated dharmas, they cannot be moved by the eight worldly conditions. That treatise's verse says: "Real jewels are rare in the world, / Bright, pure, and endowed with power; / Able to adorn the world, / Supreme, unchangeable, and so forth."