四明尊者教行錄 2.24

2.24

Answer: The Buddha examines ordinary capacities and reveals the Dharma; the sequence of his presentation is difficult to fathom. For attaining the deep import of the sūtra, none is like the four reliances. Since they interpreted the general title through the three contemplations and three bodies, and stated that in the sixteen, speaking of the Buddha is already comprehensive, how could a practitioner not follow this instruction? If one does not yet understand, one should consult those of attainment; take care not to suppress the sūtra to fit personal sentiments, using foolishness to challenge wisdom. Moreover, formulations established by our school are abundant: for instance, the text on the three contemplations in the Pratyutpanna and the repentance of the six sense faculties in the Samantabhadra [Contemplation Sūtra] only reveal their gates after the holy ones are seen in samādhi. Yet Zhizhe taught people that all must practice them in advance before entering the bodhimaṇḍa. Why do you not doubt those, but single out this one for censure? Furthermore, outside of our school's dhyāna of taste-attachment in ordinary absorption, from the six wondrous gates on up, there are none that do not possess uncontaminated thoughts; how could the mindfulness-of-Buddha samādhi of the Vaipulya sudden teaching contemplate purely phenomena? I pray you do not slander the sūtra and incur the karma of the Avīci hell.