法華玄論 9.134

9.134

答：義有通別。通而為論三身皆常，法身無始終不生滅故常。以有法身常化菩薩而無息時，故應身亦常。化二乘亦無息時，故化身亦常。但於此緣息、彼緣不息，故言滅而實不滅也。如《華嚴》云「譬如大火遍燒諸草，此處草盡故言火滅。彼處草不盡，故言不滅也。」

Answer: The meaning has both a general and a specific aspect. Discussed in general terms, all three bodies are permanent: the dharmakāya is permanent because it has neither beginning nor end and is neither born nor extinguished. Because there is the dharmakāya constantly converting bodhisattvas without cessation, the response body is also permanent. Converting the two vehicles is likewise without cessation, so the nirmāṇakāya is also permanent. It is only that for these capacities it ceases, while for those capacities it does not cease; therefore it is said to be extinguished, yet in reality it is not extinguished. As the Avataṃsaka says: "Just as a great fire burns all grasses, when the grass here is exhausted, the fire is said to be extinguished; where the grass there is not exhausted, it is said not to be extinguished."