天台八教大意 1.43

1.43

Question: The Avataṃsaka Sūtra says, 'In the abode of first arousing the mind, one immediately accomplishes right awakening.' Why would one need to rely further on the remaining stages? Answer: Accomplishing a portion of right awakening is named 'accomplishing right awakening'; it is not that arousing the mind immediately accomplishes ultimate right awakening. For example, if a dark room is divided into forty-two parts, a single wick of a lamp is already called illumination of the room; yet can it be the same as two, three, or up to forty-two wicks? If one understands this metaphor, one accomplishes all, without losing the beginning and the end, with brightness and darkness distinctly present; this should be known.