大方廣佛華嚴經疏 41.19

41.19

Third, "the initial, middle, and final limits are all completely equal" is the non-arising of numerical distinction, because defiled and pure dharmas neither increase nor decrease across the three times. That is, the initial limit is not defilement increasing and purity decreasing; the final limit is not purity increasing and defilement decreasing; and the middle limit is also not half increasing and half decreasing, because one knows that the three limits are all empty and devoid of self-nature. However, following the *Yogācārabhūmi*, the former three phrases are explained in terms of the three periods of time, whereas here the three limits are explained in terms of stages; therefore the commentary explains them in terms of defilement and purity.