大方廣圓覺修多羅了義經 1.55

1.55

utilizing the world along with their body and mind, they dwell within the

defiled world like the sound reverberating from within a bell. When the defile-

ments and nirvana no longer impede one another, then they are able inter-

nally to develop utter quiescence and composure. Accordance with subtle

enlightenment is the realm of utter quiescence, which cannot be reached by

Chapter VII

self and other, body and mind; sentient beings and life are all floating thoughts. This expedient method is called dhyāna.

“Son of good family, these three Dharma gates are all methods for drawing close to and according with perfect enlightenment. All Tathāgatas within the ten directions realize buddhahood by means of them, and the sundry expedient methods of the bodhisattvas within the ten directions, whatever their similarities and differences, all make use of these three kinds of effort. If you attain perfect realization, that is identical with my perfect enlightenment.

“Son of good family, if someone practices the sagely way and teaches the consummation of the hundreds of thousands of myriads of millions of fruits of the arhat and pratyekabuddha, that is not as good as someone who hears this unobstructed Dharma gate of perfect enlightenment and in an instant accords with its practice.”

At that time the World-honored One, wanting to restate his meaning, uttered this verse:

[Mastery of] Majestic Virtue, you should know that

Although the supreme great enlightened mind

Is in its original state nondual,

The expedient methods for according with it

Are limitless in number,

But when the Tathāgata synoptically sets them forth,

There are three general types.

Tranquil śamatha

Is like an image reflected in a mirror.

Samāpatti wherein everything is seen to be like an illusion

Is like sprouts gradually growing.

The utter quiescence of dhyāna

Is like the sound reverberating from within a bell.

These three types of subtle Dharma gates

All accord with enlightenment.

The Tathāgatas of the ten directions

As well as the great bodhisattvas

Succeed in realizing the Way by relying on them.

The perfect realization of these three activities

Is referred to as ultimate nirvana.

Discerning Sound

Bodhisattva

Then Discerning Sound 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, a Dharma gate such as this is exceedingly rare. World-honored One, how many of these expedient methods should bodhisattvas practice in regard to the gate of perfect enlightenment? I pray that for the sake of the great assembly as well as sentient beings in the final age you will expediently reveal them so as to cause them to understand true reality.” 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 Discerning Sound Bodhisattva, saying, “Excellent! How excellent, son of good family, that, for the sake of the great assembly as well as sentient beings in the final age you