妙法蓮華經玄義 2.28

2.28

As for 'ultimate equality from beginning to end', there are three meanings. The beginning is empty and the end is also empty, hence they are called equal. Again, evil fruit-retribution is present within the initial mark and nature; here the end is equal to the beginning. The initial mark and nature are present within the evil fruit-retribution; here the beginning is equal to the end. If the later events did not exist beforehand, a physiognomist would not be able to predict them in advance; if the earlier events were not present in the later, a physiognomist would not be able to trace them in retrospect. One should know that the beginning and the end are mutually present; this explains equality in terms of conventional phenomena. The mind of the middle, real principle is not different from the fruit of buddhahood. A single form or a single scent is nothing other than the Middle Way; this explains equality in terms of principle. For these reasons, it is therefore said that 'from beginning to end they are ultimately equal'; because the three meanings are fully complete, it is called equal.