英語訳
## Page Forty-Two
### [Upper Section]
"— separated from the eight negations (etc.)." The sense of the passage appears to indicate clearly that the true principle (*shinri*, *dharmatā*) is separate from the eight negations (*hachi-fu*). How (should this be understood)? [Marginal note: Eison of the Four Seasons (*Shiki no Eison*) raises this (as a problem).]
[The *Yō* (要, abstract/essentials text) upper (volume) states: "There is (the passage) reverencing only the Dharmakāya, not the other two bodies — (this is) the opening homage verse of the *Prajñādīpa-śāstra* (etc.)."] The verse of the *Prajñādīpa-śāstra* states: "Neither arising nor ceasing, neither permanent nor discontinuous, neither one nor manifold, neither coming nor going (etc.)." The main figure of the meaning of this text cites this (passage).
**Personal view:** The principle of *dharmatā* (*hōshō no shinri*, 法性真理) does not depart from the eight negations. The reasoning (behind this) is as the objection (on the previous page) states. However, regarding the present commentary's interpretation: in the present sūtra, "(the teaching concerns) the five aggregates (*go-un*, *skandhas*) and the Dharmadhātu (*hokkai*)," and this is (a teaching) that, with reference to the five aggregates, clarifies the purport that they are not arising-and-ceasing, and so forth. "The intent being directed at the Dharmadhātu" means: the five aggregates are identical with the Dharmadhātu, and (thus) are not arising-and-ceasing, etc. Since the five aggregates are (thus) separate from (*ri*) the eight negations, the eight negations are not clarified with direct reference to the five aggregates themselves; rather, the eight negations are clarified through (the five aggregates being) identified with the Dharmadhātu — this is what is said. Thus "(the phrase) 'separate from the eight negations'" refers to the substance of the five aggregates (*go-un no tai*), and does not refer to the Dharmadhātu itself — is this not so?
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**Question:** The sūtra text states: "At that time, the Buddha addressed the Spirit of the Bodhi Tree (*bodhivṛkṣa-devatā*): O Good Heavenly Woman (*zen-nyoten*, 善女天) (etc.)." If so, is this Spirit of the Bodhi Tree the same as the Earth-Goddess Pṛthivī (*Kenrō Chijin*, 堅牢地神), or is it something else?
**Answer:** There should be two possible positions: identity (*dō*) and difference (*i*). Regarding this, neither (position) is (self-evidently) clear. If (they are) different (entities), (one may) consult the commentary master's (*shoshu*, 疏主) interpretation: "The Spirit of the Bodhi Tree is also called Kenrō (*Pṛthivī*), and is also called the Earth-Spirit (*chijin*) (etc.)." This interpretation appears to clarify that (they are of) the same substance (*dōtai*). On this basis, in the new-translation sūtra (*shin-yaku-kyō*), (the text reads) "At that time the Buddha addressed the Spirit of the Bodhi Tree"; the old-translation sūtra (*ko-yaku-kyō*) states "At that time the Buddha addressed the Earth-Spirit Pṛthivī (*Kenrō*)." If one takes (both) sūtra accounts together as a standard, should their substance be definitively the same? (However,) if (one accepts) that they are the same (and then reflects further): the tree-spirit is named "Spirit of the Bodhi Tree," while the earth-spirit is named "Pṛthivī (*Kenrō*)." How can their substance be the same? Moreover, in both the new and old translations of the sūtra,
### [Lower Section]
the Spirit of the Bodhi Tree and the Earth-Goddess Pṛthivī (*Kenrō Chijin*) are each spoken of separately. If that is so, neither position (is self-evidently) clear. How (should this be understood)? [Marginal note: Zenshin of the Four Seasons (*Shiki no Zenshin*) raises this (as a problem).]
**Personal view:** The commentary master cites "there are said to be two positions (*ni-gi*)" without deciding which is correct. Therefore, even though this matter is difficult to settle definitively, (one should) for the time being establish the meaning of "same substance, different names (*dōtai imyō*)." The new translation says "At that time the Buddha addressed the Spirit of the Bodhi Tree," while the old translation states "At that time the Buddha addressed the Earth-Spirit Pṛthivī." When the accounts of the two sūtras are brought together and compared, (they appear to be) the same substance. Furthermore, the Great Master of Zīzhōu (Huizhao, 慧沼), in his interpretation of this sūtra text, states: "The Spirit of the Bodhi Tree is called the Earth-Spirit Pṛthivī (*Kenrō Chijin*)." Therefore, the commentary master's fundamental intent appears to (hold that they are) the same substance. However, concerning the objection that "the tree-spirit and the earth-spirit should be distinct (entities)": (the commentary text) *Zuànjué* (*Sanketu*, 纂決) states: "The tree-spirit and the earth-spirit are one. Since (the tree-spirit) does not depart from the earth, (it) is called earth-spirit" — this is the interpretation given. If that is so, although (the spirit) is called the Spirit of the Bodhi Tree because it protects and guards the Bodhi Tree, it also has the quality of not being separate from the earth, and therefore is also called the Earth-Spirit.
It is also said: A *kami*-spirit (*shin*, 神) is subsumed under the realm of hungry ghosts and spirits (*ki-shu*, 鬼趣). While it is not possible to apply the name "heavenly (being)" (*ten*, 天), since (this spirit) is a heavenly woman (*ten-nyo*) of eminent and venerable status among spirits (*kijin*), one praises her virtue by calling her *ten* (Heavenly Woman).
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**Question:** The sūtra text "explains the purport that the dependent-nature (*paratantra-svabhāva*, 依他起性) is like an illusion (*genmei no mune*)" [Marginal note: (Editor's note) The character *i* (依) appears to be missing below *setsu* (說)] — if so, how does the commentary master interpret the substance of the "illusion-master (*genshi*, 幻師)" and the "illusion-disciple (*gen-deshi*, 幻弟子)"?
**It is advanced:** The third interpretation states: "The illusion-master is the Buddha; the illusion-disciple is the Bodhisattva (etc.)." Regarding this: based on the commentary master's interpretation, and considering the beginning and end (*kijin*, start-to-finish) of the sūtra text, (the text) clarifies the purport that the dependent-nature is like an illusion and presents three kinds of similes: the simile of the illusory realm produced by conditions (*ensei no genkyō*), the simile of the foolish person grasping at it as real (*gūnin-shū-jitsu*), and the simile of the wise one who comprehends (it) through wisdom (*chie-ryōtatsu*). The "simile of the illusory realm produced by conditions" is (as follows): just as, in dependence upon the conditions of the illusion-master and the illusion-disciple, various illusory forms and phenomena
## Page Forty-Three
### [Upper Section]
appear — so too, the dharmas arising through dependent conditions (*etan ensei no hō*) are likewise (said to be). The "third simile of the wise one who comprehends" teaches the comprehension of the purport of illusion. If that is so, the Buddha and bodhisattvas are the substance (*tai*) of the third simile of the wise one who comprehends. Should one not then say that the illusion-master and the illusion-disciple (of the first simile) cannot refer to the Buddha and bodhisattvas? Moreover, many other masters (interpret it thus): "The illusion-master is the eighth consciousness (*dai-hachi-shiki*, *ālayavijñāna*), and the illusion-disciple is the evolving consciousness (*tenshiki*, *pravṛtti-vijñāna*) (etc.)." This interpretation is the most consistent with the sūtra text. How (should this be understood)?
**Personal view:** The commentary (*sho*) offers three interpretations of the illusion-master and illusion-disciple. Among these, (the commentary master) states of the third interpretation: "In accordance with the intent of the lower (later) text (*junka-gōi*, 准下合意), this interpretation is the best," judging it to be the correct interpretation (*shōshaku*). Therefore this interpretive intent should be established. In general, just as the illusion-master and illusion-disciple manifest various forms such as illusory phenomena, the Buddha and bodhisattvas, in accordance with conventional (truth) (*sezoku*), teach the names of all dharmas and manifest (things such as) gold, silver, fish, rice, and so forth, causing sentient beings to give rise to the thought of (their) real existence (*jitsū no omoi*). Therefore, the Buddha and bodhisattvas are designated the illusion-master and the illusion-disciple. Furthermore, the lower text of the sūtra brings forth "the profoundly deep correct Dharma (*jinjin shōhō*)" and resolves (the question of) the substance of dharmas, (stating that there are) "many illusory beings (*gen-nin*, 幻人) with (their) mind and mental factors (*shin-shinjū-hō*, 心心数法) who are able to comprehend the profoundly deep correct Dharma (etc.)." Since the text already calls those who comprehend the profoundly deep correct Dharma — the substance of the dharmas — "illusory beings (*gen-nin*)," it is thereby known that the Buddha and bodhisattvas are designated the illusion-master and the illusion-disciple. That the commentary states "in accordance with the intent of the lower text (*junka-gōi*)" is, I would suggest, precisely this intent. However, regarding (the objection concerning) "the simile of the wise one who comprehends — (interpreted as) the Buddha and bodhisattvas": even if those (of the latter simile) are also Buddha and bodhisattvas, what fault is there if the illusion-master and illusion-disciple are also the Buddha and bodhisattvas? Since the illusion-master and illusion-disciple who teach and reveal all dharmas — manifesting fish, rice, and so forth — are the Buddha and bodhisattvas, the Buddha and bodhisattvas are designated the illusion-master and the illusion-disciple. Next, as for the "simile of the wise one who comprehends": just as the illusion-master and illusion-disciple know the origin of the illusion, since the Buddha and bodhisattvas comprehend the dependent-nature (*paratantra*) as being like an illusion, the Buddha and bodhisattvas are also spoken of as the "simile of the wise one who comprehends." Although they are one and the same entity, based on
### [Lower Section]
the respective aspects (*henpen no gi*), (the Buddha and bodhisattvas) are taken up (again) a second time.
**A further objection states:** "It is not tenable to establish the (*junka-gōi*) 'accordance with the intent of the lower text.' The (phrase in the) lower text of the sūtra 'there are many illusory beings (*gen-nin*)' is (a response to) the preceding question 'how many sentient beings are there who are able to comprehend such profoundly deep correct Dharma?' — it is a presentation of the sentient beings who are to be transformed (*shoke*). (It is saying:) in reply, 'there are many illusory beings' who comprehend all dharmas — it is presenting the sentient beings who are to be transformed (*shoke no shujō*). How can one on that basis say (they are) the Buddha and bodhisattvas?"
**Reconciliation is offered:** [Marginal note: (Editor's note) below "cloud/says" (云) there appears likely to be a missing character: "says" (云).] "(The phrase) 'those with wisdom (*yūchi no hito*, 有智之人)'" — (in) describing these as "various holy persons (*shoshōnin*, 諸聖人)," (they are) the Buddha and bodhisattvas. One should establish this on that basis. Next, as for "there are many illusory beings": even though (they are) truly sentient beings who are to be transformed, (the text) applies the matter of illusion (*gen* 幻) to (those) persons, not to the dharmas (*hō*). Therefore the illusion-master and illusion-disciple (simile) should certainly be applied to persons. However, in the first (interpretation) and the second interpretation (of the commentary), (the commentary) discusses the illusion-master and illusion-disciple with reference to one cluster consisting of the eighth consciousness (*dai-hachi-shiki*), together with the relationship between the root-consciousness (*honshiki*, *ālayavijñāna*) and the evolving consciousness (*tenshiki*), applying (the simile) exclusively to dharmas. This is why (those interpretations) do not accord with the lower text. As for this (third) interpretation — it does not exclusively apply (the simile) to dharmas, and therefore accords with the lower text, does it not?
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**Question:** In the opening chapter of the present scroll, (the text) "praises the virtues of the Buddha's material body (*shikishin*, 色身)" with (the verse): "The supremely pure Sage Honored One (*Muni-son*, 牟尼尊) without superior — the radiance of his body illuminates and shines like the color of gold (etc.)." If so, what characteristic (*sō*, *lakṣaṇa*) is being praised and extolled?
**It is advanced:** The commentary offers two interpretations. One states (the verse) "praises the characteristic of the skin of the (Buddha's) body being the color of gold (*shinshin konshiki no sō*, 身皮金色相)," and the other states (the verse) "praises the characteristic of the constant radiance (*jōkō no sō*, 常光相)." Regarding this, (it should be noted that) neither of the two interpretations is (self-evidently) clear. With regard to the first interpretation, looking at the sūtra text — does (the verse) not appear at all to be praising the Buddha's body? Furthermore, the lower text (contains the line) "The most superior body of the World-Honored One is the color of gold (etc.)." Would this not itself be the characteristic of the skin of the (Buddha's) body being the color of gold? With regard to the second interpretation, looking at the lower text, (one finds that it) "praises the characteristic of the constant radiance: 'The circular radiance (*en-kō*, 円光) of one *hiro* (*jin*, 尋) illuminates without limit (etc.)'" If the present passage (were already) praising the characteristic of the constant radiance, would (the lower passage) not then be a redundant statement (*jūgen*, 重言)? [Marginal note: The same person from the same lecture group (*dōkō dōnin*) raises this (as a problem).]