觀音義疏 1.49

1.49

答：小水不成難，或戲故入，水亦不成難。欲論其難，故言大水所漂。火難所以言入者，小火亦能斷命，若故入、若不故入，入則害命。今舉其重難，重難既救，何況其輕？是故言其入火，不言入水；言其大水，亦言大火。水論其淺即成應，火猶少在未成應也。

Answer: Small water does not constitute a peril, or if entered in play, water likewise does not constitute a peril. Wishing to discuss its peril, it therefore says 'drifted by great water.' The reason why it says 'enter' for the peril of fire is that even a small fire can end life; whether entered intentionally or unintentionally, entering it harms life. Now raising its severe peril: since the severe peril is rescued, how much more so the light? Therefore, it speaks of entering fire, but does not speak of entering water; it speaks of great water, and also speaks of great fire. For water, discussing its shallowness constitutes the resonance; for fire, if a little remains, it does not yet constitute the resonance.