At that time the poor son, who had worked at various places as a day worker, happened to come to the house of his father. Standing by the gate of the house, he saw his father in the distance.

He practiced good [deeds] in his past stations of life in order to obtain worldly pleasures; he “hired himself out as a laborer.” But in reality what he received was not good. Therefore he followed his past conditions: he “reached his father’s house.” The discourse of the Greater Vehicle is “the father’s house.” The place where he is made to appear is the “gate.” His original conditions would have made him enter [the gate], but his emotion led him not to do so. Therefore he hesitated at the side of it.

His father was sitting on a lion-like seat, putting his feet on a jeweled footstool.

Their past conditions enabled them to see the intent of what was said of the Greater Vehicle: they “saw in the distance [their] father.” li as the Dharma-body (-kāya) [can] place itself [anywhere] fearlessly (or securely) [abhaya]: [it isl “seated on a lion throne.” He had his feet resting always in the unconditioned (wu-wei); he had his “feet resting on a jeweled footstool.”

Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and householders surrounded him respectfully.

All these gods (devas) hold in themselves pride and arrogance, but they all serve [the Buddha] as their master, because [his] li has subjugated them.

He was adorned with a necklace of pearls worth ten million.

There is not any form [of him] that is not Dharma; hence, his bodies are adorned with the Dharma-treasures.

The secretaries and servants were standing on either side of him, holding insect-sweepers [in their hands] made of white hairs.

Like the “hands” of faith holding the teaching, they held the dusters of wisdom free from depravities, which are meant to “attend on their left and right” and brush off dust and stupidity.

He was exhibiting treasures and engaging in trade.

[The Buddha] had the external mark of the Dharma laid bare, making sure that they obtained it. They obtained it, and so the doctrine became their property: it was “given and received.”