維摩經玄疏 6.41

6.41

Answer: Some masters say, 'Both are principle.' Some masters say, 'Both two truths are teaching.' Some masters say, 'The conventional truth is teaching, and the ultimate truth is principle.' Therefore a sūtra says: 'All are spoken by means of conventional names and words; they are not the paramārtha.' Now, examining the positions clarified by these three masters, they each have strengths and weaknesses. One should distinguish them using the four propositions: in terms of the two truths conforming to sentiment, both truths are teaching; thus both truths can be spoken, and therefore there are various two truths, used differently by masters and clarified distinctly in sūtras and treatises. In terms of the two truths of sentiment and wisdom, the conventional truth is teaching and the ultimate truth is principle; thus the conventional can be spoken, while the ultimate cannot be spoken. In terms of the two truths conforming to wisdom, both truths are principle; thus both truths cannot be spoken. In terms of the conventional truth conforming to wisdom and the ultimate truth conforming to sentiment, the conventional is unspeakable. Therefore, what was verified and seen by Kāśyapa Tathāgata could not be known by the sentiment of Śākyamuni and Mañjuśrī on the causal ground, how much less could ordinary beings of latter ages understand it! Now, briefly clarifying these three kinds of two truths, although the words are few, the meaning is all-encompassing. If doctrinal scholars and meditators in the Buddha-Dharma do not believe this, how could their doubts and disputes ever cease?