大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 17.78

17.78

The commentary states: 'Because the true body is nowhere present yet nowhere absent, it is next distinguished'—this generally reveals the great import. 'Nowhere present' means that its essence and characteristics are tranquil and vast, free from subject and object. 'Nowhere absent' means that its essence is completely pervasive. Therefore, the sūtra below states: 'Just as empty space reaches everywhere to all physical and non-physical places, neither reaching nor not reaching. Why? Because empty space has no body. The Tathāgata is also like this: pervasively reaching all dharmas, all sentient beings, and all lands, neither reaching nor not reaching. Why? Because the Tathāgata's body has no body; for the sake of sentient beings, he manifests his body.' Furthermore, being nowhere present is essence, and being nowhere absent is function; because essence and function are unhindered, it is the true body. This is also the meaning of Śāriputra's answer to the goddess in the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa: the physical form and characteristics of a female body are nowhere present and nowhere absent.