vow와 power(원력), 비로자나, 해the Sun (Āditya, the god of the sun), Vairocana(the sun)

Additionally, our hypothesis is also supported by the Indian Buddhist Sūryasiddhi

(circa 7th and 8th centuries), who wrote a sub-commentary on Vasubandhu’s

commentary on the Daśabhūmika-sūtra which is, as is well known, incorporated in

the large Buddhāvataṃsakas as the “Ten Stages” chapter. When commenting on the

line “owing to the original vow and supporting power of this Blessed one Vairocana”

(asyaiva Bhagavato Vairocanasya pūrvapraṇidhānādhiṣṭhānena6) in the Daśabhūmika-

sūtra, Sūryasiddhi says:

In the line “owing to the original vow and supporting power of this Blessed one Vairocana”,

[the words “of this Blessed one Vairocana” mean] “of Śākyamuni who is called Vairocana”.

Why is the epithet worded thus? Answer:

 (1) Since [he] clarifies various right laws

(saddharma) to his disciples (vineya), [he is called] Vairocana. This is [the meaning of]

Vairocana; just as [we say] tapasvin (“one who radiates heat” i.e. ascetic).7

 

(2) Or, since

[he] variously illuminates and delights, [he is called] Vairocana. [This] means that [he]

illuminates many kinds of qualities (guṇa) and he delights in skillfulness (kauśalya). This

is [the meaning of] Vairocana. 

(3) Or, Vairocana is the Sun (Āditya, the god of the sun),

because Āditya is more brilliant than the moon and stars. This Vairocana (Śākyamuni) belongs

to him (Āditya), meaning that [Śākyamuni] was born into the family descendant from

him (Āditya).