止觀輔行傳弘決 8.32

8.32

Next, in explaining the inconceivable, where it says 'merely hearing' and so forth: the third fascicle of that sūtra, the 'Chapter on Curing Illness,' states: 'The Buddha told the Bodhitree deity: "In the past there was a Buddha named Ratnābhyudgata. After his parinirvāṇa, there was an elder named Jaladhara, who was well-versed in medical arts and rescued all from painful illnesses. Jaladhara had a son named Jalavāhana. At that time, natural calamities fell upon the country. Having seen this, Jalavāhana thought to himself: 'My father is elderly and cannot go to those cities, towns, and villages.' He then went to his father's place, inquired about the medical methods, and thereby came to thoroughly understand all remedies. He went throughout the cities and towns, saying: 'I am a physician. I am a physician. I am well-versed in medicinal recipes and cure everything.' All sentient beings heard his promise to cure their illnesses, and merely upon hearing these words, their ailments were immediately eliminated."' This illustrates hearing the wonderful object and being able to enter the stage of the first abode. As for 'initial contemplation,' it means the initial contemplation of the inconceivable object. From 'there were further' onward, next is the simile for the lower nine [methods]. The sūtra says: 'There were further immeasurable hundreds of thousands of sentient beings whose painful illnesses were deep and severe, difficult to eliminate and cure; they went to the elder's place, were given wonderful medicines, and also attained recovery.' The present text follows the meaning: this illustrates that in contemplating the object, ignorance has not yet been eliminated. In this way, from arousing the aspiration for awakening down to departing from craving, these are therefore called 'various medicines.' Using contemplation in this manner, one can also enter the stage of the first abode. Even if one has not yet entered that stage, attaining entry into the five grades of practice is called 'a minor cure.'"