維摩義記 2.50

2.50

Question: Sūtras say that the Buddha attained bodhi; why is it that it cannot be attained? Explanation: The conventional conventions of words say that the Buddha attained it; in terms of principle and reality, at the time of attainment there is also no attainer. Why is this so? Outside of bodhi there is no self or person; who could be spoken of as capable of attaining it? Since self and person do not exist, neither is there any bodhi outside of a person that could be realized; therefore, there is nothing attained. Only when one does not see self and person as distinct from bodhi is it named ultimately reaching bodhi; hence it is also named 'attainment.' If self and person are thus, body and mind are likewise thus. Outside of bodhi there are no separate body and mind; therefore, there is none capable of attaining it. Since body and mind do not exist, neither is there a separate bodhi outside of both body and mind that could be cultivated or realized; therefore, there is nothing attained. Only when one does not see body and mind as distinct from bodhi is it named ultimately and truly reaching bodhi; hence it is also named 'attainment.' Because truly by establishing a body or establishing a mind it cannot be attained, one must abandon the view of attaining bodhi.