大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 90.38

90.38

In the commentary, “Or omitting metaphors” means using the text to explain painting in the sky. If based on the new sūtra, there are three metaphors: like empty space, the clear sun, and also like a dream. Space can illustrate two: being without support and the characteristic of permanent abiding. The metaphor of the clear sun illustrates having white dharmas as its characteristic; the single metaphor of a dream illustrates the characteristic of non-duality: wishing to say it exists, upon waking there is ultimately no reality; wishing to say it does not exist, the dream state is vivid and clear. Therefore, being neither existent nor non-existent is the characteristic of non-duality. Its inconceivability is revealed by the subsequent verse.