大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 5.39

5.39

Third is the Abhidharma Piṭaka. The text has two parts: first, the heading; second, the explanation. Within the explanation are three parts: first, distinguishing the name; second, revealing the characteristics; third, alternate names. Within the first are two parts: first, deriving the name; second, explaining the name. In the former, first it explains dharma, and then explains abhi (confronting/countering). In the former, it adopts the sense of the Abhidharmakośa for explanation. Thus the treatise states: “Because it upholds its own nature, it is called dharma. As for ultimate dharma, it is only nirvāṇa. As for dharma of characteristic marks, it encompasses the four noble truths; being virtuous and permanent, it is called ultimate.” This explains that treatise. “Characteristic” means nature and form. “Both are called characteristics” also explains that treatise. Because among the four noble truths, the truth of cessation is the principle; yet when all are called characteristics, the characteristic of the truth of cessation is the characteristic of essence, while the other three, in terms of characteristic, are their phenomenal forms.