大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 5.2

5.2

Fifth, [the condition of] relying on the manifested signs. The text of the commentary divides into four: first, generally clarifying the overarching meaning; second, revealing the differences among the signs; third, specifically clarifying the emission of light; fourth, evaluating similarities and differences. Now, as for the first, there should be four propositions: first, according with signs; second, signlessness; third, signlessness not obstructing signs; fourth, signs being identical to signlessness. 'The dharmatā is serene and solitary' is the second proposition. 'The sign of signlessness' refers to the third and fourth propositions. Below in the specific clarification there is the first proposition; therefore, one should not cling to signlessness in order to reject the various signs. Thus the sūtra below states: 'The Tathāgata does not take signs as his essence, / but is only the signless, quiescent Dharma; / yet his bodily signs and dignified deportment are completely perfected, / and the worldly, according to what they delight in, are all able to see him.' The Daśabhūmika-sūtra states: 'The Buddha abides in the profound, true dharmatā, / quiescent and signless like empty space; / yet within the supreme ultimate truth, / he manifests all manner of deeds performed. / The deeds performed to benefit sentient beings / are all attained relying on the dharmatā; / signs and signlessness are without distinction, / and entering into the ultimate, all are signless,' and so forth; this is its meaning.