英語訳
【Right Page】
【Outside frame, upper right】
Thirty
【Outside frame, upper right horizontal】
Dharma Garden Meaning Mirror - Two Truths Chapter
【Outside frame, lower right horizontal】
Thirty
【Upper Section】
Dharma Garden Meaning Forest Chapter Meaning Mirror
Commentary by Monk Shenju
Two Truths Chapter
Regarding "The two truths are profound and subtle... to mutual inclusion questions and answers": "The two truths are profound and subtle" - the *Extensive Hundred Treatise* Volume 10 states: "However, what the Buddha explained is nothing if not extremely profound. The dharma gate of two truths is fundamentally difficult to fathom." Now preserving that meaning, it says "profound and subtle." Saying "not brief exhaustive words" - "brief" means to select, that is, the meaning of selection and abbreviation. "Exhaustive" means ultimate in principle, that is, the meaning of nothing remaining. Selecting the fish-trap and ceasing beyond existence and non-existence, exhausting principle and transcending the ford of shallow and deep. Therefore it says "not brief exhaustive words." In the compilation, changing it to say "not brief words exhaustive meaning" is also the same. One explanation: "brief" means general summary, "exhaustive meaning" means elaborate and extensive meaning. The two truths are mysteriously subtle, both extensive and brief transcend words. One cannot briefly speak to fathom their ultimate principle, nor can one extensively speak to measure their source and depth. Therefore it says "not brief exhaustive words." Another interpretation: it is not briefly describing to exhaust words in vain. Therefore it says "not brief exhaustive words." Hence the commentary Volume 1 says: "Speaking of the two truths, the principle is difficult to contemplate. Now in this context, briefly indicating the essential points." This too is the same, namely preserving brevity.
Regarding "The initial gate has two... therefore having superior wisdom herein": "In the *Śrīmālā Sutra* only establishing one truth, etc." - this is the text from that sutra's One Truth chapter. Gyō says: "Among the four truths, three are conventional, only one truth is true. Being only one, it is called one truth." Now the chapter master's intention is to gather practices and return to truth, generally abbreviating as
【Lower Section】
one truth. Only the Tathāgata-garbha is the one reality; the rest have arising and cessation, or are objects of grasping, not being one reality. The *Yogācāra Treatise* says: "The non-deceptive truth is only the fourth truth." This is that meaning. "In the *Benevolent Kings Sutra* generally explaining two truths, etc." - in that sutra's upper volume there is a Two Truths chapter. Now pointing to that chapter, it says "generally explaining two truths." The sutra's meaning explains the mutual opposition of phenomena and principle, establishing only two truths. The one true dharma realm is called ultimate meaning, the rest are called conventional. Since the knowable dharmas already differ in superior and inferior, the knowing persons also have superior and inferior. Therefore it says "persons and dharmas each have superior and inferior." "In the *Nirvana Sutra* each of the two truths has conventional and ultimate two truths, etc." - that is, *Nirvana Sutra* Volume 13 says: "Knowing the ultimate truth has two wisdoms: first is middle, second is superior. The wisdom of śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas is called middle; the wisdom of buddhas and bodhisattvas is called superior." Explaining: When comparing persons, ordinary beings are inferior, the two vehicles are middle, and the Tathāgata is superior. Due to this, persons and dharmas each divide into two levels. The reason for this is: ordinary wisdom can cognize but cannot realize, so it is called inferior wisdom. Now in relation to ordinary-level wisdom, middle and superior are explained. Only two can realize the truth, therefore saying "each and every one has middle and superior wisdom." Details are as explained below.
Regarding "Manifest, *Middle and Extremes*... should be extensively analyzed below": *Manifest* Volume 2 and Volume 6, *Middle and Extremes* Volume 2 all have this text. Each of the two truths has three. The three conventional truths are: First, provisional conventional - the initial nature has no substance, only having nominal designations, called provisional conventional. Second, conditioned conventional - the second conditioned has superior meaning of flux and transformation, called conditioned conventional. Third, clearly manifested conventional - the third conventional is manifested by the second conventional, therefore also called conventional, yet its substance is actually not [conventional]. The three ultimate meanings are: First is
【Left Page】
【Outside frame, upper left】
Thirty-one
【Outside frame, upper left horizontal】
Dharma Garden Meaning Mirror - Two Truths Chapter
【Outside frame, lower left horizontal】
Thirty-one
【Upper Section】
meaning-ultimate - undefiled contemplative mind is called supreme wisdom. Since suchness is its object realm, it is called ultimate meaning. Meaning is object, therefore. Second is attained ultimate meaning - that is, nirvana. Now saying "meaning" refers to beneficial meaning, because it can accord and benefit. This nirvana's substance is supreme fruition, establishing the supreme name; attaining what is to be attained is called attained ultimate meaning. Third is conditioned ultimate meaning - wisdom is conditioned, therefore called conditioned. Taking supreme dharma as meaning is called ultimate meaning. As explained in *Consciousness-Only Treatise* Volume 8, etc. "*Yogācāra* and *Consciousness-Only* each having four" - Question: *Yogācāra* 64 explains four conventionals but doesn't explain four ultimates. *Consciousness-Only* Volume 9 explains four ultimate meanings but doesn't explain four conventionals. How can it now say "*Yogācāra* and *Consciousness-Only* each having four"? Explanation: There are two explanations. First: The two treatises in mutual relation analyze the two truths, having four levels, therefore saying "each of the two having four." Second: *Yogācāra* uses conventional to reflect ultimate, *Consciousness-Only* uses ultimate to reflect conventional. Mutually preserving reflection and abbreviation, therefore saying "each of the two having four." Some people, confused about this point, make erroneous inferences saying: *Yogācāra* and *Manifest* only explain four conventionals, ultimate only has one. In the *Consciousness-Only Treatise* explaining four ultimates is merely personal private speech, not the treatise's correct intention - this is wrong. Not only does it violate the purport, but also deeply misunderstands the text. As the Venerable [Yuan] Gong said: "This is truly the speech of dharma-poison. Deception has already perished, street and lane sounds are not worth collecting. Already the text is concise and meaning distant, what the various treatises refer to. If one again follows and becomes familiar with such speech, I pray that life after life I will not encounter [such people], until attaining the patient mind, then return to save such inferior persons." Now examining "some people's speech," [we] eliminate such examples. However, the reason *Yogācāra* etc. explain "ultimate as only one" is because among the four levels of ultimate, the first three do not separate from the latter three conventionals. Therefore they are not
【Lower Section】
explained. As will be reconciled below. Fearing verbosity, I will stop for now.
Regarding "In these general names... the two truths of explanation and purport": "Formerly called first meaning truth, etc." - old translated scriptures and treatises all say "conventional truth and first meaning truth." Like Kumārajīva Tripitaka, Dharma Master Yuan, etc., all made this explanation. "Substantial difference of existence and non-existence, etc." - when the two truths are compared, there are substantial differences of existence and non-existence, up to explanation and purport being respectively distinct. What does this meaning refer to? "Substantial difference of existence and non-existence" refers to using the first conventional in relation to the four ultimate. "Phenomena and principle meanings being different" refers to the second conventional in relation to the three ultimate. "Shallow and deep being different" refers to the third conventional in relation to the two ultimate. "Explanation and purport being respectively distinct" refers to the fourth conventional in relation to the one ultimate. As explained below. "Also called name and phenomena two truths, etc." - should be known according to the previous. Ximming's explanation: "The two truths in mutual relation have four levels. Provisional and substantial two truths refers to armies, forests, etc. as conventional truth, aggregates, sense-fields, elements, etc. as ultimate truth. Second, phenomena and principle two truths refers to aggregates, etc. being called conventional, suffering, etc. being ultimate. Third, four truths and ultimate meaning two truths refers to the four truths of suffering, etc. as conventional truth, established suchness as ultimate truth. Fourth, established and non-established two truths refers to established suchness as conventional truth, non-established suchness as ultimate truth." The meaning is also the same as this.
Regarding "Four conventional truths... non-established truth": "Also called truth of having names but no reality, etc." - the commentary calls it "provisional names," now calls it "having names." The meaning also has no contradiction. Jars, bowls, etc. only have provisional names but no substantial body. Speaking from what explains, therefore called truth. Or the substance is actually non-existent, yet also called truth. "Also called truth of following phenomena distinctions" refers to aggregates, elements, etc. following those respective phenomena, establishing aggregates