淨名經集解關中疏 1.174

1.174

"Ratnarāśi, you should know that the straightforward mind is the bodhisattva's pure land." This is the second [section], replying about the cause of practice. The text has two parts: first, horizontally considering seventeen practices to clarify that differences in the purity of practices bring about different results; second, vertically considering thirteen stages to clarify that as practice proceeds from coarse to subtle, the land also gradually becomes refined and pure. This is the first. In truth, the myriad practices are universally causes of purity; the text lists seventeen practices merely to outline the main tenets briefly. Furthermore, in all these practices, the first half clarifies the cause of practice, while 'when the bodhisattva attains buddhahood,' etc., all adduce the fruit to explain the cause. Moreover, practicing the straightforward mind oneself brings about the fruit of the direct retribution of the dharmakāya; transforming others to practice the straightforward mind evokes wholesome companions and attains the fruit of the pure land. It is also said: practicing the straightforward mind oneself, teaching others to practice the straightforward mind, praising the dharma of the straightforward mind, and rejoicing in those who practice the straightforward mind—fulfilling these is called the practice of the pure land. Following this for the straightforward mind, the other practices are also like this. Sengzhao says: "A land's purity necessarily lies with sentient beings; the purity of sentient beings necessarily relies on the myriad practices. Above, he directly cited sentient beings to explain the land's purity; now, he fully cites the myriad practices to clarify that whereby it is pure. For when practice is pure, sentient beings are pure; when sentient beings are pure, the buddha-land is pure. This is an inevitable principle that cannot err." Regarding 'the straightforward mind,' etc., this clarifies the pure land in terms of the three minds. Sengzhao says: "A land free of depressions and crooks arises from the straightforwardness of the mind; hence it is said: 'The straightforward mind is the bodhisattva's pure land.' This is explaining the fruit by means of the cause, like pointing to gold and calling it food. The 'straightforward mind' means a mind of simple uprightness without deceit. This mind is the root of the myriad practices, so it is presented at the beginning of the section."