摩訶止觀 7.58

7.58

Now this meaning is illustrated by a simile: planting a seed in the earth, the sprout first breaks open, roots grow downwards, branches and leaves spread upwards, its blossoms bloom luxuriantly, and it yields fruit to completion. Dharmatā and the dharmadhātu are the great earth; the contemplation of the smṛtyupasthānas is the seed; the four right exertions are like the sprouting; the five faculties are like the roots growing; the five powers are like the stem and leaves burgeoning; the seven factors of awakening are like the blossoming; and the eightfold noble path is like the fruiting. Fruiting is none other than entering the bronze wheel stage, realizing the forbearance of the non-arising of dharmas; it is also termed 'reaching the treasure-store', 'entering the secret treasury', 'attaining the finest ghee', 'seeing the Buddha-nature', and 'the dharmakāya being revealed, manifesting the eight aspects of becoming a Buddha'. 'The factors of the path are the good spiritual friends; through them one accomplishes correct awakening'—this is what is meant.