大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 43.78

43.78

Regarding the commentary's “Fifth: names lack the efficacy of grasping things”: according to the conventional, names summon realities, and realities correspond to names; therefore, commanding fire does not obtain water, and commanding water does not obtain fire. Now, in terms of the ultimate truth, it is equal and without reliance. Both these fifth and sixth lines first mark the lack of reliance, and subsequently reverse it with “if a name is in a phenomenon” and so forth to explain and establish it. For example, there is a person who, although previously knowing [someone] exists, has never met him. Suddenly meeting face to face, he ultimately cannot know that this is so-and-so. This is seeing the referent without knowing the name. The referent is the objective referent. In the sixth, someone, although having heard his name, never recognizes his face. Calling out “fire” does not burn the mouth, making it clear that there is no referent in the name. It should also be said that speaking of food does not make one full, and so forth. Fascicle forty-seven of the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa says: “There are generally two phenomena: first, the name; second, the referent of the name. For instance, fire being able to illuminate and burn is its referent; illumination is derived form, and burning is the function of fire; the combination of the two phenomena is named ‘fire’.” Now, hearing the name “fire,” one does not obtain the referents of illuminating and burning; therefore, it lacks the efficacy of grasping things.