妙法蓮華經玄義 7.45

7.45

Explaining the original source and the traces has six meanings: The original source is the original source of principle, which is the single ultimate path of true reality. The traces are, apart from the true reality of all phenomena, all other various [phenomena], which are named traces. Furthermore, both principle and phenomena are named the original source; preaching principle and preaching phenomena are both named the traces of teaching. Furthermore, the teachings of principle and phenomena are both named the original source; receiving the teaching and cultivating practice is named traces, just as when a person relies on a place there are footprints, and by following the footprints one finds the place. Furthermore, practice is able to realize the substance, so the substance is the original source; relying on the substance gives rise to function, so function is the traces. Furthermore, the real attainment of substance and function is named the original source; the provisional application of substance and function is named the traces. Furthermore, that which is revealed today is the original source; that which was previously preached is the traces. The original source and the traces are clarified in terms of these six meanings.