金剛經纂要刊定記 1.58

1.58

Regarding 'mind and objects', and so forth: When the Buddha first taught the Hīnayāna, mind and objects were both existent; when he taught Mahāyāna Dharmalakṣaṇa, objects were empty and mind was existent; when he taught the Prajñā teaching, mind and objects were both empty. Here, directly clarifying this, it says 'both are obliterated'. Mind refers to minds and mental factors; objects refer to the objective aspects of the various consciousnesses. Mind covers the transforming agent and the cognizing agent; objects cover the fundamental substance and the reflected image. Mind and objects are equally eliminated, hence it says 'both are obliterated'. That is, in terms of the imagined [nature], there is nothing at all, like a snake on a rope. In terms of the dependent [nature], conditions lack intrinsic nature, like a rope from hemp. Due to mind there are objects; due to objects there is mind. When objects cease, mind is emptied; when mind ceases, objects perish. Although the myriad phenomena are numerous, they do not go beyond mind and objects; once mind and objects are obliterated, all are obliterated. The Heart Sūtra also says: 'There is no eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind; no form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or dharmas; no eye realm, up to no mental consciousness realm,' and so forth; hence it says 'both are obliterated'.