Shorter Works

Hymn of the Two Gateways of Entrance and Emergence (2)

Master T'an-luan of Ta-yen Temple

Our teacher, Master T'an-luan, wrote a commentary
On the Treatise of Vasubandhu Bodhisattva [in which he states:]
It is the fulfillment of the power of the Vow that is taught as the five kinds of mindfulness.
From the standpoint of the Buddha, the term "benefiting others" should be used;

From the standpoint of sentient beings, we use "Other's benefiting;"
Know that it is the Buddha's power that is being discussed.
To practice fully in accord with reality
Is to be in correspondence with the significance of the Name and with the Buddha's light;

This is shinjin, which is called "the mind that is single."
Foolish beings possessed of blind passions
Attain nirvana without severing blind passions;
This is the virtue of the land of happiness, which is the spontaneous working [of the Vow].

Concerning "blossoms from the muddy ponds," the [Vimalakirti] Sutra states:
"The lotus does not grow in the solid ground of lofty plateaus,
But in the muddy ponds of lowland marshes."
This is an analogy meaning that foolish beings, while in the mud of blind passions,

Put forth the blossoms of the Buddha's perfect enlightenment;
This indicates the inconceivable power
Of the Tathagata's universal Primal Vow.
Thus, the two gates of entrance and emergence are taught as Other Power.