英語訳
## Right Page (Zoku Hossō-shū Shoshin Ryakuyō, Lower Volume — Section 12)
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(Regarding *tathatā* / true suchness) Scholars of our school (Hossō-shū) from ancient times have discussed this in various ways. Some say there is a "separate substance (*bettai*, 別体)"; others say it is "the principle of all dharmas (*shohō no dōri*, 諸法道理)." Within these two positions, there are further varying interpretations. Some say it is "the principle that (things) are ultimately without real substance (*jitsumunotōri*, 実無の道理)"; some say "the principle of conventional existence (*keunotōri*, 仮有の道理)"; some say "the principle of conventional existence and ultimate non-existence (*ke'u-jitsumunotōri*, 仮有実無の道理)"; some say "the respective principles of form, mind, etc. (*shikishin-tōkakukakuno dōri*, 色心等各各の道理)"; some say "the principle of dependent arising (*ensei no dōri*, 縁生の道理)"; and some say "the self-so principle (*hōni no dōri*, 法爾道理)." Each of these interpretations cites scriptural evidence and establishes its reasoning, with each approach being distinct. Yet the point they ultimately reach will in the end not be in mutual contradiction.
Nevertheless, following the transmission from my teacher, I uphold "the meaning of the principle of dependent arising (*ensei no dōri*)." Its general meaning is as follows: all conditioned (*saṃskṛta*, 有為) dharmas necessarily arise when conditions are present, and without conditions [note: the commentary suggests one character is missing here, likely 無 "without"] they certainly do not arise. If this principle (*ri*, 理) were not present, then even with conditions they could not arise, and even without conditions they could arise. But in fact, when conditions come, things necessarily arise; when there are no conditions, things necessarily do not arise. This is precisely because there must necessarily be such a principle (*dōri*, 道理). This principle is unborn (*fushō*, 不生). It is imperishable (*fumetsu*, 不滅). It is not that this principle comes into existence for the first time when a dharma arises. The principle is inherently present from the start; when conditions come and accord with this principle, the event (*ji*, 事, phenomenon) is accomplished. There is arising in the phenomenon, but no arising in the principle. Nor does this principle finally cease when a dharma ceases. When conditions depart and no longer accord with the principle, there is cessation in the phenomenon, but no cessation in the principle. Let it be well understood: "the principle of arising and ceasing is, conversely, without arising or ceasing"; and "what is without arising or ceasing in terms of principle, conversely undergoes arising and ceasing in terms of phenomenon." Phenomena are taken as characteristics (*sō*, 相); principle is taken as nature (*shō*, 性). Nature is of one flavor (*ichimi*, 一味), because the principle of dependent arising is one and not two. Characteristics are manifold (*shūta*, 衆多), because the phenomenal characteristics of dependent arising are varied and not one.
When the four conditions (*shien*, 四縁) come together, the event of *enryo* (cognitive/mental existence, 縁慮, mind and mental factors) is accomplished; when two conditions come together, the event of *shitsuge* (material existence, 質礙, matter with resistance and obstruction) is accomplished. Within the category of *enryo* there are varied differences among mind-kings (*shinō*, 心王), mental factors (*shinjō*, 心所), and the eight consciousnesses; within the category of *shitsuge* there are immeasurably varied differences among the five sense faculties (*goken*, 五根) and five sense-objects (*gojin*, 五塵). All of these accomplish individual events, each according to its own causes and conditions (*innen*, 因縁). The two types of seeds (*shūji*, 種子) — the originally-existing (*hon'u*, 本有) and the newly-perfumed (*shinkun*, 新熏) —
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— and the three types of impressions (*jikke*, 習気) — nominal (*myōgen*, 名言), ego-grasping (*gashū*, 我執), and so forth — each and all accomplish their individual seeds through the conditions of the perfuming (*kunshū*, 熏習) present activities (*gengyō*, 現行) and the perceiving eighth consciousness and so forth. In this way, though the innumerable dependent arisings and dependent originations are variously different, the principle of dependent arising (*ensei no ri*, 縁生の理) is of one flavor and without the differences of manifold characteristics. Though without the differences of manifold characteristics, it becomes the nature (*shō*, 性) of each individual dharma. The principle of dependent arising of form (*shiki no ensei no dōri*, 色縁生道理), the principle of dependent arising of mind (*shin no ensei no dōri*, 心縁生道理), and so on, each bring forth their respective phenomena — hence (they each become the nature of those phenomena).
This principle, being already nature (*shō*, 性), has no characteristic (*musō*, 無相). Being without characteristic, it is not the domain of deluded consciousness (*meijō no kyō*, 迷情の境). Not being the domain of deluded consciousness, it is far removed from the imagined (*shoshū*, 所執, what is attached to as really existing, *parikalpita*). Dependent nature (*etagi*, 依他起, *paratantra*) is also like an illusion and is not the domain of deluded consciousness, yet because it has the appearance of fictitious characteristics (*koke no sō*, 虚仮の相), the deluded mind becomes confused about it and takes it as "what is directly imagined and attached to" (遍計所執). [Note: the commentary suggests one of the two characters 為 may be a scribal repetition.] Because (dependent nature) is not the same as the non-characteristic (*musō*, 無相) of the ultimate truth, only with respect to the perfected nature (*enjōjitsu*, 円成実) of ultimate truth is the expression "far removed (*onri*, 遠離)" established.
Let it be understood: the *tathatā* of the perfected nature (*enjōjitsu*, 円成実) is the nature of the principle of dependent arising (*ensei no dōri*) inherent in the phenomena of dependent arising — a principle that is constantly far removed from what is imagined and attached to (*shoshū*, 所執). The statement "the perfected nature (*enjōjitsu*) is constantly far removed from the previous nature (*zenshō*, 前性, i.e., imagined nature) upon that (dependent nature)" means precisely this.
Therefore, "*shō* (正, the perfected)" is precisely the principle of dependent arising; "*hen* (遍, the imagined/pervading)" is also the principle of "being present in deluded awareness but absent in ultimate truth" (*jō'u-rinu no dōri*, 情有理無道理) — (that is, the principle of) delusive attachment. Now, this principle of "present in deluded awareness but absent in ultimate truth" returns, (when one truly knows), to the principle of dependent arising. When one knows the principle of dependent arising, the imagined "present in deluded awareness but absent in truth" is necessarily known along with it, accompanying that act of knowing. This is why it is said that "the principle of dependent arising, delusive attachment, and the principle that is *tathatā* and also the perfected nature, are all (one and the same)" — this is that meaning.
**[Question]** That the principle of conditioned existence is immediately the ultimate truth — there are various doubts about this. First, dividing dharmas into the three levels of "phenomena (*ji*, 事), principle (*ri*, 理), and suchness (*nyo*, 如)" is commonly discussed. Among these, "principle" refers to the meanings of suffering (*ku*, 苦), emptiness (*kū*, 空), impermanence (*mujō*, 無常), etc., as they pertain to dharmas — there is no separate substance for it outside the dharma-body (*hōtai*, 法体). If this is then taken to be "suchness" (*nyo*, 如), how can "principle" and "suchness" be distinguished as two levels? The two dharmas of conditioned and unconditioned (*u'i / mu'i*, 有為/無為) would fall into great confusion as well. True suchness (*shinnyō*, 真如) would further become without substance (*mutai*, 無体). Next, if this is the kind of principle that is being spoken of, then ordinary people (*bonbu*, 凡夫) already know it and can readily speak of it. If that
## Left Page (Zoku Hossō-shū Shoshin Ryakuyō, Lower Volume — Section 13)
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principle is identical with *tathatā* (真如), would that not mean an ordinary person has realized the truth? And could a foolish person expound the principle of true reality (*jissō no ri*, 実相之理)?
Next, regarding "this principle": the meaning of all things originally existing (*hon'u*, 本有) and then ceasing (*shametsu*, 謝滅) is also unattainable (on these grounds). If through this approach one takes it as the ultimate truth's meaning of "non-arising and non-ceasing," then the various principles established when debating the right and wrong of form and mind and their respective principles, and even the principles established when debating ordinary worldly things such as goods, equipment, and dwellings, would all have to be *tathatā*. Why then reject the "principle of conventional existence and ultimate non-existence (*ke'u-jitsumu no dōri*, 仮有実無の道理)"?
Next, what is being established here is precisely the "principle of dependent arising and natural so-ness (*ensei hōni no dōri*, 縁生法爾道理)," so why also reject the "meaning of the principle of natural so-ness (*hōni dōri no gi*, 法爾道理義)"?
Next, although the principle of dependent arising is of one flavor, the thesis that it constitutes the respective natures of form, mind, etc. is not yet clearly established. If the substance of the principle (*ritis tai*, 理体) is not individually distinct, it would stand entirely in conflict with the manifold phenomenal characteristics (*jisō*, 事相). How could it become their nature?
This is why the *Yilin zhang* (*Girinshō*, 義林章) states: "However, each dharma has its own principle on top of itself; each is certified individually within — one cannot say it is common." Furthermore, if one attempts to use the text "because principle is one and not two" as evidence, one should say: "This passage of text is a text that fully admits both of the two extremes of 'one' and 'different' with regard to principle. Forcibly establishing the meaning of a single substance (*ittai no gi*, 一体義) does not accord with the text at all."
In particular, if the ultimate truth is "absolutely one," it should be expressible in a single word "one" — so why is it called "beyond language (*rigan*, 離言)"? And if it already has "one characteristic (*issō*, 一相)," why is it called "without characteristic (*musō*, 無相)"?
Next: if the perfected nature (*enjōjitsushō*, 円成実性) is not the imagined nature (*shohensho*, 所遍計), then why do (sentient beings) grasp at Buddha-nature (*busshō*, 仏性) as their "self (*ga*, 我)"? Furthermore, when the mental factors of an ordinary person think about ultimate truth using contaminated cognition (*uro no chi*, 有漏智), would that not constitute imagined attachment (*shohensho*, 所遍計)?
Next: as for the claim that when one knows dependent origination and dependent arising, the imagined "present in deluded awareness but absent in truth" is necessarily known along with it — what is the meaning of this? According to the commentary (*sho*), delusive attachment and dependent arising each have their own principle, and both are seen as "ultimate truth." So why is it forced that "the principle of dependent arising" alone is taken, and "the principle of delusive attachment" is sought to be absorbed into it? If (the reason for) this returning (to the one) is that there is but one principle, then conversely, one could take "the principle of delusive
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attachment" and have "the principle of dependent arising" return into it, making everything "the principle of delusive attachment." Would one then say that "the principle of delusive attachment" should be named "ultimate truth"?
**[Answer]** If one were to say that "apart from conditioned truthful dharmas (*u'i taihō*, 有為諦法) there separately exists a real dharma called *tathatā*" — this is precisely what is established by the other vehicles (*yojō*, 余乗), and is it not contrary to the Mahāyāna view? The statement "unlike other schools, (we do not say that) apart from form and mind and so forth, there exists a real and permanent dharma called *tathatā*" is a passage in which the master-author (i.e., Dharmapāla and the compilers of the *Chéngwéishì lùn*) refutes the Hīnayāna view of "real existence of unconditioned dharmas (*jitsu'u no mu'i*, 実有無為)" — its meaning should be clear. If one were to say: "Apart from conditioned dharmas — that is, apart from form, mind, and so forth ▢ (one character unclear) — there exists a dharma of non-arising and non-ceasing, which is called *tathatā*" — (such a position) is not discussed at all.
However, the dharma-nature (*hosshō*, 法性) is subtle and difficult to know. Although one must bring to a halt verbal and conceptual elaboration (*genryo*, 言慮), it is not permissible to remain unable to know the "beyond-language" (*rigan*, 離言). For one who does not deliberate (*omonnpakaru*, 慮) cannot arrive at the state of "non-deliberation (*furyo*, 不慮)." When one is compelled to speak (of it), one conveys the principle of ultimate truth / dharma-nature through the principles of conditioned existence. Therefore, when one is at the initial stage of practice (*shoshin*, 初心), what fault is there in inferring from the principles of ordinary things that "true reality exists in the same way as ordinary principles"?
Therefore, "ultimate truth (*shinri*, 真理)" — "*shin* (真)" means "true reality"; "*ri* (理)" means "principle." It is named "ultimate truth" because it is the "truly real principle (*shinjitsu no dōri*, 真実道理)." This real principle is not something created by the mind's transformation (*shinhen-saku*, 心変作); nor is it the functional use of a dharma (*hō no giyō*, 法義用). It is, within all dharmas, in a self-so and immovably stable way (*hōni-gōnen*, 法爾凝然), the principle of true meaning that is fully equipped and accomplished as it constantly and truly is (*nyojō no shin'gi*, 如常真義). Now, this true meaning is precisely the ultimate extreme (*kyūkyoku*, 極) of the common-characteristic principle (*kyōsō no dōri*, 共相道理) — the portion that transcends and surpasses flux and fabrication (*shenryū-zōsaku*, 遷流造作). This portion is already what is truly real within dharmas — how can it be said to have "no substance (*mutai*, 無体)"? And since it is already distinct from conditioned existence, why not distinguish the two dharmas of conditioned and unconditioned?
Therefore, in the three levels of "phenomena, principle, and suchness" (*ji-ri-nyo*, 事理如), "principle" (*ri*, 理) is named by the meanings and functional uses of things transformed by mind — such as suffering, impermanence, and so forth (*ku-mujō tō no giyō*, 苦無常等義用). This is a dharma of arising and ceasing (*shōmetsu hō*, 生滅法). When one sets it up as the two levels of "phenomena and principle" (*ji-ri niryō*, 事理二重), it conversely falls under "phenomena" (*ji*, 事). "Suchness" (*nyo*, 如) is named by "that immovably stable and non-arising non-ceasing principle (*fushō-fumetsu-gōnen no ri*, 不生不滅凝然理)." This is the truly real dharma-nature (*shinjitsu no hosshō*, 真実法性). When opened out as the two levels of "phenomena and principle," it conversely falls under "principle" (*ri*, 理). (The text continues...)