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The Containing
Prologue:
The Second, clarifying in which it is contained. Within the Three Stores, this Sutra properly is only contained as Sutra. Yet is has connections with the other two, because the Ten Treasuries and so forth chapters extensively set for the precepts, and because the asking for clarification and so forth chapters set forth doctrines of the Shastras.
If, moreover, one divides the teachings of the Sutras on the basis of doctrines, then three are ten stores in all. This is because it is complete with hosts and attendants appearing infinitely, and because the teachings and meanings interfuse. Within the Two Stores, it is only the Bodhisattva Store, because if one distinguishes provisional and actual, it is only contained in the one division of the Bodhisattva Store, the provisional not containing it .
Commentary:
The Second, clarifying in which it is contained. The Prologue has been discussing what the Stores are, and now begins to explain in which Stores the Flower Adornment Sutra is contained. Within the Three Stores, this Sutra properly is only contained as Sutra. This, the Flower Adornment Sutra, is contained within the Sutra Store, yet is has connections with the other two. “The other two” means Vinaya and Shastras, and this Sutra is connected with them too. That is because the Ten Treasuries and so forth chapters within the Flower Adornment Sutra extensively set forth precepts.
The Ten Treasuries Chapter of the Flower Adornment Sutra broadly reveals and explains the precepts; and it is also because the asking for clarification and so forth chapters set forth doctrines of the Shastras. Within this Sutra, the Bodhisattvas ask for Clarification Chapter in numerous places discusses doctrines belonging to the Shastra Store. Those are examples of how the Flower Adornment Sutra in a great many passages is connected with the other two Stores: the Vinaya Store and the Shastra Store.
If moreover one divides the teachings of the Sutras on the basis of doctrines, then there are Ten Stores in all . The meanings in the Sutras can be distributed among Ten Stores which are: The Sutra Store, the Shastra Store, and the Vinaya Store. Each of these Stores also contains all three of these Stores so that makes nine Stores. Then you add a miscellaneous Store and you get ten.
This is because it is complete with host and attendants appearing infinitely. Within it there are said to be Host and attendants repeated infinitely and inexhaustibly. It is complete with that principle, and it is also because the teachings and meanings interfuse. Another reason is that the teachings and the principles interpenetrate without obstruction. Within the Two Stores – the Sound-Hearer Store and the Bodhisattva Store – it is only the Bodhisattva Store.
The Flower Adornment Sutra belongs to the Bodhisattva Store, because if one distinguishes provisional and actual teachings, it is only contained in the one division of the Bodhisattva Store. Why is that? It is because of the provisional not containing it. The provisional teaching does not contain the Actual Teachings and the Bodhisattva Store is Actual Teaching.
Prologue:
If one considers this in terms of containing, then this Sutra also contains the Sound-Hearers, because it can include limitless vehicles. The sorting out of provisional and actual will be explained later in the Establishment of Teachings. This ends the explanation of the Stores in which it is contained.
Commentary:
This Sutra is comprised in the Bodhisattva Store, and yet….If one considers this in terms of containing, if one just looks at the element of containing involved, then this Sutra also contains even the Sound-Hearers. The Flower Adornment Sutra also even takes in the Sound-Hearer Vehicle. Why? It is because it can include limitless vehicles. This Sutra is both vast and great and infinitely fine and subtle, and there is nothing it does not include and take in. Whether the Great Vehicle, the Small Vehicle, of the single highest Buddha Vehicle, all are comprised within this Sutra. Limitlessly many Vehicles all find their place inside it. The sorting out of provisional and actual, a detailed discussion of what is provisional and what is actual, will be explained later in the Establishment of Teachings. The section of the Prologue concerning the setting up of Teachings will make this clear. This ends the explanation of the Stores in which it is contained. The Stores have been explained, but not yet the Teachings.
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