大方廣佛華嚴經疏 48.24

48.24

Second, as for explaining the title: 'Tathāgata' designates the person and manifests the virtue; 'secondary marks' and so forth reveal that the virtue depends upon the person. 'Secondary marks' is the essence; they attend upon the great major marks to enhance posture and grace. 'Light' is the function. 'Merit and virtues' is the virtue; that is, light is emitted from the secondary marks, and the light can benefit beings, revealing the virtue of the secondary marks; hence it provides the title. It can be interpreted both as 'the Tathāgata's secondary marks and so forth' and as 'the Tathāgata possesses secondary marks and so forth'—both explanations are admissible.