六妙法門 1.4

1.4

Now, speaking of "six," this is to establish the heading with reference to a numerical category. "Wondrous" has many meanings, but if we speak of the principal meaning, it is nirvāṇa, the truth of cessation; therefore, among the four aspects of cessation, they are stated as cessation, pacification, wondrousness, and departure. Nirvāṇa is neither severed nor permanent; existing, it is difficult to accord with; non-existing, it is easy to attain; thus it is called "wondrous." Because the six dharmas can provide passage, they are called "gates." Although the gates are six, their convergence in the wondrous is not different; therefore a sūtra says: "Nirvāṇa is the true dharma-jewel; sentient beings enter through various gates." This, then, is a general explanation of the general meaning of the six wondrous gates.