金剛般若經旨贊 1.5

1.5

As for mighty power: this sūtra is briefly shown to possess ten mighty powers, like a vajra, whence it derives this name. First, the supreme mighty power: it is the highest, foremost, and rarest Dharma, and wherever it is found, it must be venerated; just as that vajra is superior to all precious objects. Thus the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra says: 'Just as the vajra is the most supreme among all gems, conforming to their matrices and producing those gems.' Second, the difficult-to-see mighty power: the sūtra's meaning and karmic retribution are both inconceivable, and those who delight in lesser teachings cannot accept it; just as that vajra cannot be seen by others. Thus the Nyāyānusāra states: 'The gem atop Śakra's crown is named vajra; it cannot be seen by others because its brilliant radiance overwhelms them.' Third, the disaster-dispelling mighty power: when an inferior practitioner retains this sūtra, even though they are despised by others, the sinful karma of past lives is eliminated; just as that vajra can eliminate disasters and poisons. As Paramārtha's notes state: 'There are six kinds of gems, all named vajra; the blue and dark blue ones eliminate disasters and poisons.' Fourth, the wish-fulfilling mighty power: having eyes, one can see, universally benefiting sentient beings, adorning the pure lands, and attaining bodhi; just as that vajra fulfills human wishes. As with the remaining four colors among the six gems—yellow, red, white, and clear—which roam through space as needed, yielding water and fire. Fifth, the firm and solid mighty power: it can crush the marks of self, person, sentient being, life-span, dharma, and non-dharma, without being destroyed by them; just as that vajra cannot be ruined by other objects. Thus the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra says: 'Wherever the vajra strikes, no object is not broken, yet the vajra itself suffers no damage.' Sixth, the sharp utility mighty power: penetrating selflessness, one attains forbearance, knowing and seeing all with the Buddha-eye and so forth; just as that vajra penetrates all objects. Thus the Liang translation of the Mahāyānasaṃgraha says: 'For example, the vajra's substance is sharp, capable of piercing and cutting all things.' Seventh, the uninterrupted mighty power: practicing giving without abiding, giving rise to a non-abiding mind, marks are immediately non-marks, with nothing to be attained; just as that vajra is not mixed with other objects. Thus the Abhidharmasamuccaya says: 'For example, the vajra has no gaps in its substance, and is not intermingled with sand, stones, and the like.' Eighth, the single-taste mighty power: all differences are made through the unconditioned, and the meaning of the tathatā of all dharmas is all the Buddha Dharma; just as that vajra is pure and uniform in substance. Thus the Abhidharmasamuccaya says: 'For example, the vajra is of one uniform kind, pure, unmixed, and unalterable.' Ninth, the attractive mighty power: all Buddhas and their Dharmas are born from this, accomplishing inconceivable, boundless merit; just as that vajra can attract all gems. Thus the Liang translation of the Mahāyānasaṃgraha says: 'The vajra can attract all precious objects; wherever a vajra is found, gems gather of themselves.' Tenth, the all-pervading mighty power: its merit is vast as space, benefiting all, transcending all marks, and delivering all; just as that vajra pervades all things. Thus the Abhidharmasamuccaya says: 'For example, the vajra pervades all places, as the vajra-wheel and so forth pervade the world.' There are further texts that should be cited and expounded accordingly. Revealing the mighty power is concluded.