大方廣圓覺修多羅了義經 1.23

1.23

The bodies and minds of all sentient beings

Are altogether like an illusion.

The attribute of the body belongs to the four great elements;

The nature of the mind derives from the six types of sense objects.

Since in essence the four great elements are distinct from one another,

Who could constitute the one who holds them together?

If one gradually practices in this way,

Everything in its entirety will become pure, Undisturbed, and pervade the dharmadhātu. There will be no striving, going along with things, stopping, or

extinguishing, Nor will there be anyone who realizes it. All buddha lands Are like illusory flowers in the sky. The three worlds are universally equal And in the end are without coming and going. If novice bodhisattvas And sentient beings in the final age Wish to seek entrance to the Buddha Way, They should train in this way.

Chapter IV

Diamond Treasury

Bodhisattva

Then Diamond Treasury Bodhisattva arose from his seat within the great assembly, bowed with his head at the feet of the Buddha, circumambulated him three times, knelt before him with hands clasped at his breast, and addressed the Buddha, saying, “Great Compassionate World-honored One, well have you set forth for the assembly of all bodhisattvas the purity of the Tathāgata’s perfect enlightenment, the great dhāraṇī, the dharmic practice of the causal ground, and the gradual expedient methods, dispelling the darkness of all sentient beings. The Dharma assembly gathered here has received the Buddha’s compassionate instruction, the illusory film has been cleared away from its eyes, and its eye of wisdom is clear and pure.

“World-honored One, if all sentient beings have already attained buddhahood from the very beginning, how do they once again come to have all forms of ignorance? If sentient beings have ignorance from the very beginning, for what reason does the Tathāgata also say that they have already attained buddhahood from the beginning? If the diverse beings throughout the ten directions have already attained the Buddha Way from the very beginning and only later give rise to ignorance, then when will all the Tathāgatas once again give rise to all forms of defilement?

“I only pray that you will not abandon your unrestricted great compassion; and that, for the sake of the bodhisattvas, you will open up the secret treasury; and that, for the sake of all sentient beings in the final age, you will enable them to hear the Dharma gate of ultimate meaning like that of the teaching of this scripture so as to forever cut off doubts and regrets.” Having spoken these words, he prostrated himself fully. He made his request in this way three times in succession.

At that time the World-honored One addressed Diamond Treasury Bodhisattva, saying, “Excellent! How excellent, son of good family, that, for the

sake of bodhisattvas and sentient beings in the final age, you are thus able

to ask about the Tathāgata’s profound, secret, ultimate expedient, which is

the bodhisattva’s supreme instruction, the ultimate meaning of the Great

Vehicle that is able to cause all bodhisattvas practicing throughout the ten

directions, as well as all sentient beings in the final age, to attain resolute

faith and cut off doubts and regrets. Now listen carefully to what I shall

expound to you.” Then Diamond Treasury Bodhisattva, delighted to receive

the teaching, listened silently along with the great assembly.