華嚴法界玄鏡 1.11

1.11

The inexhaustible ocean of teachings does not go beyond these seven characters; therefore, relying on this teaching, the contemplation gates are accomplished. That "in practicing the contemplation gate of the dharmadhātu, there are briefly three levels" briefly indicates the outline. The single character "practice" runs through the entire title, referring to the perfuming cultivation through śamatha and vipaśyanā, the study and mastery of it. As for the "dharmadhātu," it is the mysterious theme of the entire sūtra, because it overall takes the inconceivable pratītyasamutpāda-dharmadhātu as its central theme. However, the characteristics of the dharmadhātu are essentially only three, though altogether possessing four kinds: first, the dharmadhātu of phenomena; second, the dharmadhātu of principle; third, the dharmadhātu of the non-obstruction of principle and phenomena; fourth, the dharmadhātu of the non-obstruction of phenomenon and phenomenon. Here it is the latter three; because the dharmadhātu of phenomena is distinct and difficult to set forth, and each individual phenomenal characteristic can form a contemplation, it is omitted and not clarified, collectively serving as the essential basis relied upon by the three contemplations. Its phenomena briefly have ten pairs: first, teaching and meaning; second, principle and phenomena; third, sphere and wisdom; fourth, practice and stage; fifth, cause and effect; sixth, circumstantial and direct [retribution]; seventh, essence and function; eighth, person and Dharma; ninth, adverse and favorable; tenth, stimulus and response. In accordance with each phenomenon, it is the genuine essence relied upon by the three contemplations. The author's name, virtuous deeds, and circumstances are detailed in the biographies.