英語訳
## Page Thirty-Six
### [Upper Section]
Why would (it be called the stage of) the first ground? Surely it should refer to the initial arising of the aspiration (*shohosshin*) at the stage before the grounds (*chimae*). Moreover, looking at the text of the present sūtra, the simile of the crescent moon is applied, and (the person in question) appears to be an ordinary being (*bompu*) fully bound by afflictions (*gubaku*). Furthermore, the *Maitreya-paripṛcchā-śāstra* (*Miroku-shomon-kyōron*) (states it is) the pre-ground stage (etc.). Does the present commentary also question this? If that is so, the Great Master (Kuiji) interpreted it as the first ground〔marginal note: *Xuanzan*, Fascicle Nine〕. How (should this be understood)? 〔Marginal note: The answer to this question and argument is found within the answer of the next question and argument.〕
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**Question:** Regarding the four kinds of the arising of the aspiration for enlightenment in the *Sūtra on the Aspiration for Enlightenment as Asked by Mañjuśrī*, is the "arising of the aspiration at the stage of the one-life-supplement (*ichishō-fusho-hosshin*, *ekajātipratibaddha*)" limited solely to the tenth ground, or can it also extend to the second ground and above? (Arguments for) both sides (are presented): If it is limited to the tenth ground, looking at the commentary-treatise text for that sūtra, the third arousal of aspiration is described as "having already entered the first ground," while the fourth arousal of aspiration is described as the "Crown Prince Supratiṣṭhita (*Zenjū-ōji*)" (etc.). Since the third arousal of aspiration is already the first ground, surely the fourth — Crown Prince Supratiṣṭhita — must extend to the second ground and above. Following this, in the *Maitreya-paripṛcchā-śāstra*, the fourth arousal of aspiration of that sūtra is placed at the second ground and above (etc.). If that is so, then the present commentary's (statement of) "the tenth ground" (etc.) — how (should this be understood)?
**Personal view:** The *Butsumo-shō* (佛母抄) states: "In the *Mañjuśrī-bodhicitta-śāstra* (*Monjushomon-kyōron*), there are two interpretations clarifying the initial arousal of the aspiration. The first interpretation states: the initial arousal of the aspiration is at the pre-ground stage. Therefore the treatise says: 'Furthermore, a son of heaven whose initial arousal of aspiration is capable of surpassing the śrāvaka stage does so because, being a sharp-facultied bodhisattva before the first ground, he observes all the dharmas belonging to the factors of enlightenment (*bodaibunpō*, *bodhipakṣika-dharma*)' (etc.). The Great Master of Zizhou's (Zhizhou's) interpretation is based on this (first) interpretation. The second interpretation states: (it is) at the first ground. Therefore the treatise says: 'Furthermore, regarding what is included in the causes of the arising of aspiration: [and so on...] because one observes the realm of the first ground' (etc.). The *Xuanzan* (*Gensan*) interprets the second (interpretation). The master and disciple each expound different interpretations. The meaning of 'furthermore' (復次) should not be taken as (mutually) contradictory." [End of citation]
### [Lower Section]
Thus, considering the intent of the *Butsumo-shō*: since with respect to the initial arousal of the aspiration the treatise already contains two interpretations, with respect to the "arising of the aspiration at the stage of the one-life-supplement (*ichishō-fusho-hosshin*)," there can also be two interpretations. The sūtra has many "furthermore" (*fukuji*, 復次) passages, and the treatise has differing interpretations.
In the sūtra, the "arising of the aspiration at the stage of the one-life-supplement" 〔marginal note: this is the answer to the later question-and-argument〕 is compared to the moon on the fourteenth day — this is the interpretation of the tenth ground. The other "furthermore" passages are interpretations referring to the second ground and above. Therefore, when the treatise interprets the sūtra text: the comparison to the fourteenth-day moon is the interpretation of the tenth ground; the third arousal of aspiration belongs to the first ground; and Crown Prince Supratiṣṭhita refers to the interpretation of the second ground and above. The *Maitreya-paripṛcchā-śāstra* is explaining the intent of one particular "furthermore" passage. There is therefore no contradiction.
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Kasuga Shrine 〔[manuscript copy]〕, one of ten folios kept permanently in the newly built quarters, the fourth (fascicle).
One collation completed against the manuscript copy.
Paper: (donated by) Ven. Sōzu of En( zen quarters — Jōshin'in)
May (our) sins be extinguished and good (be generated) 〻〻〻〻
Eiroku 1st year 〔*Tsuchinoto-uma*, i.e., 1558 CE〕, 7th month, 15th day Scribe: 〔Harushige〕 Kiyotane
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## Page Thirty-Seven
### [Upper Section]
### Table of Contents for *Saishō Mondō-shō*, Fascicle Five
**Fascicle Five**
- Question: By what reason is the first chapter of this fascicle named the "Lotus Flower Praise Chapter (*Renge-yu-san-bon*)"?
- Question: Can the Buddha of the reward-body enjoyed by others (*tajuyūshin*, *parasambhoga-kāya*) have the meaning of multiple Buddhas appearing simultaneously in a single buddha-land?
- Question: "The circular halo (*engō*) of one *hiro* (fathom) illuminates without limit" [sūtra text]. Regarding the reason why the Buddha's halo is one *hiro*, how does the commentary master interpret this?
- Question: "After passing thirty-three *asaṃkhyeya* kalpas, one shall attain Buddhahood" [sūtra text]. How does the commentary master interpret this?
- Question: "The sūtra (mentions) the Great Brahmā King, lord of the Sahā world" [sūtra text]. Is (this) the king of the first dhyāna (heaven)?
- Question: If it is said that the Dharma-body (*hosshin*, *dharmakāya*) is absolutely inseparable from the reward-body (*ōjin*, *saṃbhogakāya*), what fault (*kato*) would arise?
- Question: "The sūtra praises the meritorious virtues of the Tathāgata with the simile of the lotus flower" [sūtra text]. Is the lotus flower here the *udumbara* flower (*udombara*, 優曇花)?
- Question: Does the true principle (*hōshō*, *dharmatā*) of the Dharma-nature (*hosshō*) transcend the "eight negations" (*hachi-fu*, *aṣṭa-negations*)?
- Question: Is the spirit of the Bodhi tree (*bodaiju-shin*) identical with the earth goddess Kenrō Chishin (*Kenjō-chijin*, *Pṛthivī*)?
- Question: Regarding the body (*tai*) of the disciple of a master of illusions (*genja-deshi*), how does the commentary master interpret it?
- Question: "The sūtra (says): 'The radiance of the august body of the supremely pure Sage (*Muni*) shines brilliantly like gold in color'" [sūtra text]. Which physical mark (*sō*, *lakṣaṇa*) is being praised?
- Question: Beyond conditioned emptiness (*uikū*, *saṃskṛta-śūnyatā*) and unconditioned emptiness (*muikū*, *asaṃskṛta-śūnyatā*), is a (further category of) "conditioned-and-unconditioned emptiness (*uimuikū*)" established?
### [Lower Section]
### *Saishō Mondō-shō*, Fascicle Five
**Fascicle Five**
**Question:** By what reason is the first chapter of this fascicle named the "Lotus Flower Praise Chapter (*Renge-yu-san-bon*)"?
**It is advanced:** The commentary states: "Because the Golden Dragon King (*Kinryū-ō*) of the past always used the lotus flower to praise all Buddhas" (etc.). Regarding this (a difficulty arises): reading through the sūtra text from beginning to end, in the passages of praise and adulation by the Golden Dragon King, starting from the simile of (the Buddha's) white tuft of hair (*byakugō*, *ūrṇā*) and light, gold color and crystal (*hari*, *sphaṭika*) are cited; for the simile of (the Buddha's) facial appearance and white teeth, these are likened to the full moon, white cowrie shell, and snow. Beyond these, how numerous are the similes and comparisons of praise? If so, why would the lotus flower simile alone manifest the name of the chapter? How (should this be understood)?
**Personal view:** Reading the sūtra text: "In the past there was a king whose name was the Golden Dragon King, who always used the lotus flower as a simile to praise and extol all Buddhas of the ten directions and three times" (etc.). Although the totality of similes and comparisons for praise are not uniformly (restricted to the lotus), he specifically used the lotus flower for praise as his habitual mode, and accordingly the chapter name was established. In particular, among them, (the Buddha's) eyes are compared to the blue lotus flower (*seiren*), and the tongue-mark (*zessō*, *jihvā-lakṣaṇa*) is likened to the red lotus flower (*kōren*) — these are the notable (central) similes. While other similes are each cited only once, the lotus flower simile is numerous. Establishing the chapter name based on the predominant element — there is surely good reason for this.
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**Question:** Can there be a meaning in which the Buddhas of the reward-body enjoyed by others (*tajuyūshin*, *parasambhoga-kāya*) appear simultaneously in multitude within a single buddha-land? (Arguments for) both sides (are presented): If multiple Buddhas appear simultaneously, since the benefit conferred by one Buddha would suffice, for what purpose would multiple Buddhas appear simultaneously? In (the case of) the transformation-body (*keshijn*, *nirmāṇa-kāya*), such an interpretation does not exist. Why would it be the case for the reward-body enjoyed by others? Here, in the *Vijñaptimātratā-śāstra* (*Yuishiki-ron*): "That is, in one buddha-land there is one Buddha-body, manifesting supernatural powers, expounding the Dharma, and richly benefiting (beings)..."