大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 32.30

32.30

From the commentary's "If previously it had intrinsic nature..." downward, the preceding was a forward explanation, and from here downward is a reverse explanation. Just as metal and stone each have a hard nature that cannot be altered, now this lack of intrinsic nature is like water, which upon encountering cold freezes into ice and upon meeting fire becomes warm. Therefore the Madhyamakaśāstra says: "If origin had a fixed nature, not having been severed previously, how could it be severed now? If the path had a fixed nature, not having been cultivated previously, how could it be cultivated now?" and so forth. Hence we know that if there were a fixed nature, not a single dharma could be established; if there is no fixed nature, all dharmas are established. Therefore the Madhyamakaśāstra says: "Because there is the meaning of emptiness, all dharmas can be established. If there were no meaning of emptiness, nothing at all could be established." Lack of intrinsic nature is precisely the meaning of emptiness.