翻譯名義集 5.18

5.18

[Tuo-luo-ni] (Dhāraṇī): The Great Commentary states: "In the language of Qin, it means 'able to hold.' It collects various wholesome dharmas and is able to hold them so that they are neither scattered nor lost. For example, when a good vessel holds water, the water does not leak or scatter. When unwholesome roots and unwholesome thoughts arise in the mind, it can obstruct them from arising. When one is about to commit evil transgressions, it holds them back from being committed; this is called dhāraṇī." Sengzhao translated it as "total retention" (zongchi), meaning to hold fast to the good so it is not lost, and to hold back evil so it does not arise. It is also translated as "warding off and holding." The Fuxing states: "Its essence wards off the three delusions; its nature holds the three wisdoms." The Xunwen states: "It wards off the evil of the two extremes and holds the good of the Middle Way. This takes its name from the nature of wisdom." The Chanyi states: "Thus, since dhāraṇī is a Sanskrit term, the character zhou (mantra/incantation) corresponds to the Chinese expression; when the sūtra titles list both the Chinese and Sanskrit terms together, they say 'dhāraṇī-zhou'. If so, why is it said that dhāraṇī translates as 'warding off and holding'? Answer: Ancients saw that the esoteric was not translated. Following the example of this country's methods of spells and prohibitions, they translated it using the name zhou. Yet it does not lose the meaning of warding off and holding. Why? Since zhou is glossed as 'vow', it is like the four vows of a bodhisattva: two vows eradicate suffering, which is the meaning of warding off evil; two vows bestow happiness, which is the meaning of holding fast to the good." The Great Commentary explains three dhāraṇīs: First, the dhāraṇī of retaining what is heard. Those who attain this dhāraṇī do not forget any spoken words or dharmas heard with their ears; this is holding names. Second, the dhāraṇī of discriminative knowledge. Sentient beings who attain this dhāraṇī distinguish and completely know all dharmas, whether large or small, good or bad; thus the dhāraṇī of distinction is holding meaning. Third, the dhāraṇī of entering sound. Those who attain this dhāraṇī do not become delighted or enraged upon hearing all words and sounds; though all sentient beings should revile and curse them for lifespans of kalpas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, their minds harbour no resentment; though all sentient beings as numerous as the sands of the Ganges should praise and make offerings to them, their minds are unmoved, neither delighted nor attached; this is the dhāraṇī of entering sound, which is holding practice. The Lotus Sūtra explains three dhāraṇīs: first, the revolving dhāraṇī; second, the dhāraṇī of revolving a hundred thousand myriads of koṭis; third, the dhāraṇī of the expedient means of the Dharma sound. The Commentary on Vimalakīrti explains: "'Revolving' means turning. One turns the provisional to enter emptiness, attaining realization of the ultimate truth. 'A hundred thousand myriads of koṭis' means proceeding from emptiness to enter the provisional, revolving and distinguishing, destroying delusions as numerous as dust and sand, and revealing the Buddha-dharmas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. 'Expedient means of the Dharma sound' refers to the expedient means of the two contemplations, enabling entry into the Middle Way."