四教義 8.22

8.22

Fifth, explaining the meaning of Vimalakīrti ('Pure and Spotless Name') in terms of the stages of the shared teaching: the Great Being's stage is that of succession [to buddhahood]; the nature of the principle of true truth is inherently clear, hence called 'pure'. The primary delusions of the two obstacles within the realms have already been exhausted, and habit-energies are slight and faint, hence called 'spotless'. Wisdom internally corresponds to true truth, and externally can match the capacities and natures of the three vehicles to display supernormal powers and preach the Dharma; hence called 'matching' (cheng/name). Thus is briefly distinguished the Great Being of the shared teaching receiving the name of Vimalakīrti. Why is it necessary to manifest this bodhisattva's image? By using this bodily appearance and voice, feigning illness, to preach the Dharma like dreams and illusions for kings and elders, he encourages seeking bodhi, and also dismantles the delusion and obstinacy of the three vehicles of the Tripiṭaka teaching clinging to clumsy conveyance. If one examines Master [Kumāra]jīva, [Daosheng], and Sengzhao's commentaries on the Vimalakīrti, they all share this intention. Although the Dharma masters of the Chen and Liang dynasties lecturing on this scripture's text differed slightly in their successive estimations of the elevation of the bodhisattva's stage, when our school looks back, all of them used the meaning of the shared teaching to explain this scripture.