金剛三昧經論 1.4

1.4

As for the second, determining the tenet of the sūtra: The essential tenet of this sūtra has an unfolding and a synthetic [presentation]. Speaking synthetically, the contemplative practice of single taste is the essential; speaking by unfolding it, the tenfold dharma-gate is the tenet. Regarding contemplative practice: contemplation is discussed horizontally, extending through object and cognitive acuity; practice is viewed vertically, spanning cause and fruition. Fruition means the five dharmas are completely fulfilled; cause means the six practices are fully prepared. Cognitive acuity is both innate and initial awakenings; the object is the dual vanishing of the ultimate and conventional. Both vanish yet are not annihilated; the two awakenings [function] yet are unproduced. Unproduced practice secretly tallies with the signless; the signless dharma accords with and accomplishes original benefit. Since the benefit is original benefit, because there is nothing to be attained, it does not stir the reality-limit; since the limit is the reality-limit, because it is free of intrinsic nature, the limit of truth is also empty. All Buddha Tathāgatas are hidden therein; all bodhisattvas follow and enter into it. This is named entering the tathāgatagarbha, which is the overarching purport of the six chapters. Within this gate of contemplation, from initial faith and understanding up to equal awakening, it is established as six practices. When the six practices are fulfilled, the nine consciousnesses are transformed and manifested: the immaculate consciousness is manifested as the pure dharma-realm, and the remaining eight consciousnesses are transformed into the four cognitions. When the five dharmas are fulfilled and the three bodies are thus complete, such cause and fruition are not apart from object and cognitive acuity, and object and cognitive acuity are non-dual, being only a single taste. Such contemplative practice of a single taste is the tenet of this sūtra. Therefore, there are no Mahāyāna dharma-characteristics that it does not subsume, and there are no tenets of immeasurable meanings that do not enter into it. Its name is not an empty designation—is it not said of this? A synthetic discussion of the single contemplation is briefly explained as such.