金剛經纂要刊定記 1.7

1.7

"Essentials of the Commentaries and Treatises on the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra": this title has nine characters, comprising six layers of subject and object from the broader to the narrower. First, the explaining agent and the object explained: the five characters "Vajra" and so forth are the object; the four characters below, "Commentaries and Treatises", belong to the explaining agent. Second, the signifier and the signified: the character "Sūtra" belongs to the signifier; the four characters "Vajra" and so forth are the signified. Third, the selector and the selected: this has two aspects. (1) Selection regarding the shared: "sūtra" applies generally to the teachings of the Buddha's entire lifetime, whereas "prajñā" is restricted solely to the present division. (2) Selection regarding the specific: "prajñā" still applies generally to the eight divisions, whereas "vajra" belongs only to this single sūtra. Fifth, the vehicle of the metaphor and the tenor of the metaphor: "vajra" is the vehicle, while "prajñā" belongs to the tenor. Sixth, the compiler and the compiled: the character "compile" (zuan) belongs to the compiler, meaning the author of the commentary; the character "essentials" (yao) is what is compiled, meaning the correct doctrine. If one includes the two characters "with Preface", yet another layer is added: these two characters are the including agent, and all of the above is what is included. Yet these seven layers do not go beyond teaching, practice, person, and principle. The five characters "Sūtra", "Commentaries and Treatises", and "with Preface" are the teaching, meaning the signifier, the explaining agent, and the prefacer. "Prajñā" refers throughout to practice, meaning contemplative illumination. The character "compile" belongs to the person, the author of the commentary. The characters "vajra" and "essentials" belong to principle: "vajra" serves as a metaphor for dharmatā, which is true principle; the character "essentials" indicates what is correct, its principle being the rational doctrine.