華嚴法界玄鏡 1.6

1.6

Regarding the ten meanings of "great," all seven characters are "great": First, "great" is greatness of essence, because the dharmadhātu is eternal and all-pervading. Second, "broad" (fang) is greatness of characteristics, because the nature-virtue is boundless. Third, "expansive" (guang) is greatness of function, because the function corresponds to the essence and is all-pervading. Fourth, "Buddha" is greatness of fruit, because the ten bodies entirely pervade the dharmadhātu. Fifth, "flower" is greatness of cause, because Samantabhadra's practices and vows are themselves all-pervading in essence. Sixth, "adornment" is greatness of wisdom, because the Buddha's wisdom is like space and capable of serving as adornment. Seventh, "sūtra" is greatness of teaching, because exhausting the oceans as ink cannot write a single phrase. Eighth is greatness of meaning, because what is realized by the above six characters all accords with the nature. Ninth is greatness of sphere, because these seven characters collectively take all sentient beings as their cognitive object. Tenth is greatness of karmic activity, because these pedagogical principles extend horizontally throughout space and vertically exhaust time without cessation. Possessing the ten inexhaustibilities, it is therefore called "great."