Avatamsaka Sutra Commentary(Volume 6)

The Tenth: The Maiden Mitrani of the Lion's Roar City

The land of empowerment manifests as spontaneous freedom, its function arising without obstruction, thus it is called... If one possesses true wisdom and receives the sacred duty, they are named "maiden," with the Dharma name Prajñā, adorning the gate of Dharma. A reverent mind is the thought that seeks it. Delight and the like refer to the methods of teaching and guidance. Among what is followed, the Mahayana is the general statement. From "seeking" onward, it is called the specific. Within the specifics, the first two lines clarify the protection of the mind of the Hinayana. The next two lines, "observing the Dharma," clarify the protection against afflictions. From "through the three times" onward, seven lines clarify the practice arising from the mind. Within this practice, the line "through the three times," the line "understanding," the line "determination," and the line "abiding without" — these four lines clarify understanding arising from the mind. Next, the line "not contradicting," the line "determination," and the line "abiding in suchness" — these three lines clarify practice arising from understanding. The line "extinguishing all deluded thoughts" is a distinction of abiding in suchness.

In explaining the purpose, there are also three questions and three answers: first clarifying its essence, then revealing its name. The realm refers to its function. Within this function, it is generally divided into two categories: universal and specific. The universal gate is the general category, while what is called the Buddha's realm and below are specific categories. Within these specific categories, there are one hundred and seventeen dhāraṇīs. Among these one hundred and seventeen, the first eight gates clarify the distinctions in faith and methods; next, the ten gates starting with the Merit Dhāraṇī explain the methods for personal practice; third, the thirty-eight gates starting from the Karma Dhāraṇī explain the methods for benefiting others; fourth, the six gates starting from the Unobstructed Reality Dhāraṇī explain the methods for achieving personal realization; fifth, the eighteen gates starting from the Worldly Dharma Dhāraṇī explain the methods for achieving the benefit of others; sixth, the thirty-seven gates starting from the Distinguishing Buddha-Body Dhāraṇī explain the principle of the supreme, unobstructed, and free function of both personal and others' practice. "The mind like empty space" is the general principle, while the remaining phrases are specific. These include: entering the depths (first phrase), abiding peacefully (second phrase), being fully endowed (third phrase), wisdom (fourth phrase), attaining unobstructedness (fifth phrase), dwelling in unobstructedness (sixth phrase), skillfully capable (seventh phrase), acting in the world (eighth phrase), skillful means (ninth phrase), and at all times (tenth phrase). In these ten phrases, the first clarifies the means of understanding, the second phrase the means of practice, the next four phrases clarify the achievement of understanding, and the final four phrases clarify the achievement of practice.