Chapter 14: The Elder Sweet Dew Crown of Daxing City

The land of diligent practice, blazing without bounds, is called the Great City of Flourishing. Advancing and retreating in accordance with the Dharma is called the Elder. The boundless essence, embraced within the mind, is named the Summit of Nectar. The Dharma is called the Treasury of Wishes Fulfilled, the Gateway of Merit.

Through contemplation, one observes; through observation, one approaches; through approach, one ascends; through ascension, one receives; through receiving, one exhausts; through exhaustion, one completes the crossing; through crossing, one becomes purified; through purification, one sees everywhere; through seeing everywhere, the mind is transformed by the Dharma. When the mind is transformed by the Dharma, the One manifests eternally, accomplishing both the wisdom of teaching and the wisdom of realization.

Arriving at the realm of the Pure Land, first, it clarifies the pervasive search for the Dharma-body of the Elder. Next, from "delighting in seeking" onward, it broadly explains the practice of seeking. In this broad explanation, the first two lines clarify that the mind of joyful seeking arises from cultivation. Second, from "toward the spiritual friend" onward, seven lines broadly explain the different manifestations of the arising practice. Third, from "although not relying on others" onward, nine lines clarify that in the case of Sudhana, his practice arises from within himself, yet it begins by following others, thus requiring close cultivation.

The nine lines are: first, not relying on others; second, purification and cultivation; third, growth; fourth, accomplishment; fifth, fulfillment; sixth, great compassion; seventh, all-knowing wisdom; eighth, Samantabhadra; ninth, the Tathāgata.