The Mahayana Scripture of the Wondrous Grove 大乘妙林经
Paul PengThe Mahayana Scripture of the Wondrous Grove
The author is unknown.
Judging from its content and wording, it should have been compiled during the The Tang Dynasty.
This scripture has been quoted several times in Yunji Qiqian (Seven Slips of the Cloud Satchel).
The Mahayana Scripture of the Wondrous Grove
Originally consisting of three volumes, it is included in The Zhengyi Section of The Daozang.
Divided into ten chapters, the scripture is falsely attributed to dialogues between Yuanshi Tianzun (the Primordial Lord) and various Perfected Ones, discussing Taoist doctrines and expounding the profound meanings of Mahayana. It holds that the mind-nature of all sentient beings is inherently pure, tranquil, and empty. Practitioners must eliminate all afflictions to realize the Dao -nature and enter the Three Pure Ones realms.
The scripture proclaims: "All sentient beings are empty; Dao-nature is also empty; all dharmas are empty; the Three Realms are empty; and emptiness itself is empty—everything is empty." Thus, sentient beings are identical to Dao-nature, the Three Pure Ones are identical to afflictions, and afflictions are identical to true immortals. If one can comprehend this profound Mahayana meaning, they can purify the six senses and attain the supreme Dao.
Both the content and style of this scripture are influenced by the Mahayana Void School of Buddhism. The so-called "the Three Pure Ones are identical to afflictions" originates from the Buddhist saying "Bodhi is identical to afflictions".
