英語訳
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【Upper Section】
If it were not so, why would it be called Buddha-nature or Tathāgatagarbha? Speaking of "nature" and speaking of "treasury" is because these terms are meant to manifest (their inherent meaning). This principle is necessarily so (it is the doctrinal principle of dharma-nature, as briefly explained above). It should not be doubted. Therefore, when entering this gate, the path of the One Vehicle is taught. That dharma is the same, non-self is the same, and liberation is the same—this is what this means. However, our school's intention is to establish the three non-natures based on the three natures. The two gates (of three natures and three non-natures) are like milk and water—they do not contradict each other at all. Although there exists the true and wondrous principle of eventual Buddhahood, there is only that principle; the actual event (realization) does not occur. Why? Because for all events to be accomplished, the two conditions of direct and indirect causes must be fully present and harmonized, capable of accord with true principle without deviation. Even if the principle exists, without conditions it does not occur. Even if indirect conditions exist, without direct conditions it does not occur. Even if direct conditions exist, without indirect conditions it does not occur. Even if all conditions exist, without accord with principle it does not occur. The three factors (principle, direct conditions, indirect conditions) must correspond for accomplishment to occur. This is a necessary principle. How could there be any room for doubt?
Regarding the matter of a person of no-nature becoming Buddha—although the true principle and indirect conditions exist, the direct conditions are lacking, and therefore it does not occur. Those direct conditions are what are called the innate undefiled seeds. Since seeds are also phenomena, they must necessarily arise from their own kind of direct causes and conditions. Even if newly perfumed (newly habituated), they must necessarily arise from the manifestation of their own substance. Therefore, the undefiled seeds of this person (of no-nature) ultimately have no means of being perfumed and activated. Since there are no direct seeds, how can this event (Buddhahood) be accomplished? If one does not believe this and claims that even without a direct cause the event can be accomplished, one risks destroying the true and correct principle of dependent origination and erroneously falling into views such as those of original nature (冥性) or spontaneism (自然).
Therefore, when displaying the principle of the mutual dependence of the three natures and no-nature, the conclusion is simply: although it should be accomplished, it ultimately is not accomplished. The principle by which it should be accomplished is already true, so it is explained as the One Vehicle—it is not at all fictitious. That it ultimately is not accomplished is already an actual fact, so it is explained as the five natures—it is also not a false expedient. Returning to principle and returning to phenomena, the two gates do not contradict. In one simultaneous moment,
【Lower Section】
there is no obstruction between this and that. Is this not the ultimately complete and definitive teaching? Now I personally draw an analogy to further illuminate this. For example, just as people in the world, regarding worldly wealth and such, although they may harbor the ultimate principle that it can be achieved, yet because conditions are lacking, the actual matter does not come about. Although the matter does not come about, the principle exists. Although the principle exists, the matter does not come about. Because the matter does not come about, how can one say the principle is absent? Because the principle allows for achievement, how can one say the matter is achieved? The two gates are both present, mutually not contradicting. In one moment without obstruction, both are real meanings. Such analogies are immeasurable and boundless. This too is likewise.
If one still doubts this strongly, consider: within the ten realms established by other schools, in the six realms of ordinary beings—is there a kalpa-limit for becoming Buddha? And is there a time when all become Buddha and no ordinary beings remain? If one says yes, there should be many doubts. If one says no, how does one know there are no persons of no-nature among them? In our school, those of no-nature, while they should become Buddha when approached through the gate of principle, have no fixed time for it. Regarding those of fixed nature in the two vehicles, this can also be understood by analogy. Because they have no Buddha-seed (events do not occur), but because they have principle-nature (the principle holds). How much more so since what this person (the two-vehicle practitioner) has realized in nirvāṇa-without-remainder has no difference from all Tathāgatas. The Vijñaptimātratā-siddhi states: "In this position there is only pure true suchness, departing from characteristics, clear and still, in quiescent bliss. Based on this it is said that there is no difference between them and the Buddha" (text). And the original scripture (Saṃdhinirmocana Sūtra) says: "Through pure true suchness, the three vehicles' bodhi are equal, perfectly equal" (etc., taking the meaning). This is not only the emptiness of self (人空/生空); both emptinesses are perfectly complete. Entering the position of nirvāṇa-without-remainder, both hindrances are completely eliminated. This is not only true principle; it also possesses phenomenal virtues. Why? Because approaching through the gate of true suchness and the gate of non-separation, all is equal with no obstructions. Since the three vehicles' bodhi returns to the one suchness, the wisdom-virtues of all Buddhas employ this very same (principle).
Therefore one should know: the Tathāgata further practices again, and within the characteristics of the bodhisattva who first aroused bodhi-mind, there is the possibility of the meaning of returning to birth from nirvāṇa-without-remainder.
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【Upper Section】
This is because they manifest from that true suchness. This is the appearance of transformative manifestation returning to birth. When other people see this, an arhat who has entered cessation appears before them again, arising to practice the various great activities. This matter is furthermore not only for allowing others to see. The transformed mind, mental factors, and four divisions are complete, all arising from seeds. This is because the five aggregates combined constitute one sentient being (the detailed meaning is as above). With such harmonization, there is no contradiction at all. Regarding the three incalculable eons and one moment, this too should be understood by the same analogy. Approaching through the gate of three natures, through other-dependent arising, through the gate of non-identity—all bodhisattvas pass through three incalculable eons. Approaching through the gate of no-nature, through perfectly accomplished reality, through the gate of non-separation—all bodhisattvas become Buddha in one moment.
When entering this gate, one is already originally a Buddha. How much more so in one moment? For the present single moment—past and future simply do not exist. The incalculable eons—on what basis are they conventionally established? They are all established upon the form and mind of one moment. Beyond that, there is no further substance or meaning of time-kalpas. One should know: the distant kalpas without beginning or end actually reside within a single moment's instant. Yet because our deluded mind is confused about this principle, when hearing explanations of past and future matters, or through personal recollection, we think there are boundless time-periods that have passed. Through this mental disposition, a false reflected image similar to long time suddenly appears. Its appearance is actually a transformation of one moment—there is no further multiplicity of time. But because it resembles [long time], the deluded mind is confused by it, thinking there is truly much time. The appearance of actually much time that appears to this subjective mind is like the actual appearance of a snake to a snake-fearing mind. It is nothing but mental verbal expression (意言), completely without substance.
Therefore, when first giving rise to the bodhi-mind, in that one moment, one possesses the ten thousand virtues of the fruit. The innumerable virtues that are originally complete are already present as nature-virtues in this moment. The boundless virtues that will be completed in the future are also present as phenomenal-virtues in this moment. Now this principle and phenomena are neither identical nor separate, like a rope and hemp. One moment contains them all—is this not the Buddha in whom phenomena and principle are perfectly complete? Therefore,
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calling the initial arising of bodhi-mind "Buddha" is not at all surprising. How much more when discussing partial realization (分証)—that principle is even more firmly established. That is to say, within the preparatory wisdom (加行智) of the sixth consciousness, the two wisdoms of seemingly-root and subsequently-attained wisdom correspond with calm-abiding and contemplation (止観). The clear, still, and pure power pervades the entire body. The eight consciousness-assemblies, which are neither one nor different—could they completely not receive the influence of this power? Could it only be that through the perfuming power of the six defiled (consciousnesses) they transform to appear as self and dharmas? One should know: the eight-phase attainment of the Way at the first abiding (初住) truly responds to the inner virtue and manifests its appearance outwardly. If it were not so, the inner and outer would not correspond, and one would fear it would constitute deception, which would not be the virtue of a bodhisattva. With such harmonization, the meaning of swift attainment of the Way is necessarily so, and furthermore does not contradict.
However, those who achieve it in this very body are people in whom the practice of previous lifetimes has reached fullness, who briefly practice in this life and swiftly enter the first bhūmi—just as Asaṅga, Nāgārjuna, and others. How much more so the first abiding, second abiding, and so on? That the first bhūmi and beyond is called "Buddha" follows the same principle as before. What obstacle is there to this being called "realization of enlightenment in this very body for ordinary beings"? Examining and seeking laterally, would this not accord with both nature and characteristics?
Question: In the intention of our own school, although the gate of non-difference between phenomena and principle is permitted, it is not a direct cause but only an mutually dependent dominant condition (増上縁). Compared with other schools' true-suchness dependent origination, isn't this different?
Answer: The name is greatly to be avoided, because it conflates with impermanence. But in terms of actual meaning, they also do not contradict. Why? If one is attached to "dominant condition," one deeply violates the meaning of nature and characteristics. If one is attached to "suchness as dependent origination," one ultimately cannot escape impermanence. If one correctly understands suchness-as-dependent-origination, it returns to dominant condition. If one correctly understands dominant condition, it is the same as suchness-as-dependent-origination.
Question: Why is this so?
Answer: The name and meaning of "dominant condition"—why must they necessarily be as far apart as Chu and Yue? The most proximate conditions in the world are all dominant conditions (since seeds producing sprouts, etc., are all such conditions). The teaching of true-suchness dependent origination—could it truly be the same as wave(s)...