法華玄論 1.18

1.18

Answer: That the Dharma cannot be spoken, yet one speaks of the wordless, is simply preaching through provisional names and marks amidst that which has no names and marks, wishing to lead one to awaken to the wordless through provisional words. Therefore Vimalakīrti says, “He who preaches the Dharma has nothing to preach and nothing to show; he who listens to the Dharma has nothing to hear and nothing to gain.” One should establish this mind and only then preach the Dharma. The Treatise on the Correct Contemplation states, “If one wishes to question apart from emptiness, the question does not constitute a question. If one wishes to answer apart from emptiness, the answer does not constitute an answer.” All questions and answers must rely on emptiness, not to mention seeking the characteristic of the extinction of suffering. The treatise’s explanation of relying on emptiness is precisely the Dharma that cannot be shown in this sūtra. These are the clear standards of sūtras and treatises, and one should rely on them. Furthermore, in the Buddhapiṭaka-sūtra, its errors are broadly revealed; now I will briefly present one passage as an admonitory mirror. It says: “If one were to harm the sentient beings of Jambudvīpa with a wheel of swords, the error would still be small; if one were to preach the Mahāyāna with grasping, the sin would exceed this.”