法界圖記叢髓錄 1.161

1.161

The Ancient Record says: Zhixiang, explaining the sūtra text "dwelling in one stage, universally gathering in all stages," said: "Discussing this from the sequential progression of practice forms through to the ultimate, real self-substance, there are summarily four [points]: First, because it can give birth at the beginning and conclude in complete fulfillment at the end, it is called 'gathering in'. Second, although it is the initial beginning, yet it can practice in all stages, and the phenomena practiced are no different; hence it is called 'gathering in'. Yet the practice accomplished is only within its own self-share, and higher and lower, superior and inferior, differ only in clarity and obscurity. Third, simply being the initial beginning, it immediately gathers in the merits of all stages; hence it is named 'gathering in'. Fourth, it is not called 'gathering in' by virtue of beginning and end; simply being the initial beginning is precisely the end; hence it is named 'gathering in'." (End of quote). An explanation says: One [interpretation] says: The first two are the initial and final teachings, and the latter two are the One Vehicle. Within the two of the One Vehicle, the former is the pratītyasamutpāda aspect, and the latter is the fruition aspect. Another says: The former is the approach of 'within', and the latter is the approach of 'identical'.