大華嚴經略策 1.31

1.31

Twenty-fourth: The Interfusion of Principle and Phenomena. Question: The phenomenal marks have ten thousand differences, whereas the principle is of a single flavor. Why do the sūtras say that principle and phenomena are unhindered and mutually identical? Answer: Seeking principle outside of phenomena is the biased truth of the two vehicles; illuminating phenomena as principle is the great awakening of the bodhisattva. Outside of form there is no emptiness: form is entirely emptiness; outside of emptiness there is no form: emptiness is entirely form. Form refers to conditioned dharmas; emptiness refers to the principle of selflessness. Because they are conditionally arisen, selflessness is identical to phenomenal form and is true emptiness; because they are devoid of self-nature, according with conditions is identical to the principle of emptiness and constitutes phenomenal form. One substance with two aspects has the names of phenomena and principle; because the two aspects are of one substance, they mutually penetrate. Respectfully answered.