Commentary on the Sutra of the Father and Son Anthology, Part 1

The Origin of the Scripture of the Father and Son Collection

The Six Realms refer to the six great elements: earth, water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness. "Distinction" means that each of the Six Realms has its own boundaries, and their functionalities exhibit certain differences. The Scripture of the Father and Son Collection primarily recounts the story of how Śākyamuni Buddha’s father, King Śuddhodana, was delivered by the World-Honored One. When Śākyamuni Buddha first attained enlightenment, he wished to deliver his father, King Śuddhodana. He sent messengers to persuade King Śuddhodana to visit him. When King Śuddhodana saw Śākyamuni Buddha, he witnessed the World-Honored One bestowing predictions of Buddhahood upon countless humans and devas, and he was deeply moved. The Buddha seized the opportunity to advise King Śuddhodana to diligently practice the Dharma, urging him not to cling to his royal throne or the five desires and six dusts of the mundane world. Using the various states experienced in a dream as a metaphor, the Buddha expounded on the illusory nature of all phenomena to persuade and transform King Śuddhodana, helping him understand that the five desires and six dusts are illusory and unreal, like a dream. After comprehending these principles, King Śuddhodana no longer clung to the five desires and six dusts. Consequently, he turned his mind towards the practice of the Dharma and, upon his death, was reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. King Śuddhodana’s ability to reside on the throne without clinging to the five desires and six dusts was extremely rare; it was entirely the result of the Buddha’s skillful means of deliverance.