摩訶止觀 2.35

2.35

Now, following the text to cultivate contemplation: the 'white elephant with six tusks' refers to the bodhisattva's six undefiled supernatural powers. The tusks have sharp utility, like the swift agility of the supernatural powers; the elephant has great strength, symbolizing the load-bearing capacity of the dharmakāya; being undefiled and untainted, it is called 'white'. The three figures upon its head—one holding a vajra pestle, one holding a vajra wheel, and one holding a wish-fulfilling jewel—symbolize the three wisdoms dwelling at the summit of the undefiled (and so forth). The pestle signifies that the elephant can advance, symbolizing wisdom guiding action; the turning wheel symbolizes emerging into the provisional; the wish-fulfilling jewel symbolizes the middle. Upon the tusks there are pools, symbolizing the eight liberations, which are the essence of dhyāna; supernatural powers are the function of concentration, because essence and function are not separated. At the tips of the tusks there are pools, and in the pools there are flowers; the flowers symbolize the wondrous cause: purifying the Buddha lands with the power of supernatural powers and benefiting sentient beings is the cause. The cause arises from supernatural powers, just as flowers issue from the pool. Within the flowers there are women; women symbolize compassion. Were it not for unconditioned compassion, how could one use supernatural power to shrink the body and make it small, entering this Sahā world? Supernatural powers are moved by compassion, just as the flowers uphold the women. The women hold musical instruments, symbolizing the four means of embracing. Cultivating body and speech through compassion, manifesting various joint actions, beneficial conduct, and the two gifts of material wealth and Dharma, guides beings in manifold ways; just as five hundred musical instruments produce immeasurable sounds. Displaying the body delightful to behold is the samādhi of universally manifesting physical forms. It is manifested according to what is agreeable, and is not necessarily exclusively an image of white jade. The language dhāraṇī is speech perfumed by compassion expounding various Dharmas. These are all different names for the 'Lotus Samādhi'; if one grasps this meaning regarding the elephant's body, one can freely construct Dharma gates upon it.