大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 44.20

44.20

On the commentary's "This text is illustrious, yet later students..." downward: concluding by rebuking the Dharma-characteristic masters, as already discussed in the Prolegomena; and regarding the statement "they only claim," yet their school also has this meaning, only it is not ultimate. For the realm of sentient beings has two meanings: first, the meaning of nature, namely the meaning that sentient beings are the dharmadhātu. Second, the meaning of nature-portion, referring to the characteristics of sentient beings. If one relies on the ultimate, characteristics are precisely identical to the nature, and principle is also equal. They only adopt the portion meaning: when sentient beings become Buddhas, there would be a decrease, but since they do not all do so, they say there is no decrease. This is only a partial meaning and not the ultimate principle; therefore it is lamentable.