維摩經略疏 8.83

8.83

「天曰至女也」，三、天為解釋。「天言舍利弗若能轉此女身，一切女人亦能轉」者，如身子為通所持遂不能轉，一切女人為業所持終不能轉。若一切女人不除業而能轉者，則身子亦能轉也。如舍利弗非女，為他神力變為女身，一切女人而為業力變為女身。雖現女身，四大五陰因緣中求女相叵得，即非女也。今天女即是願力應為女像，眾生機緣若轉應亦轉也，如鏡對面現面，面若不離像不可轉。

From "The goddess said to is not a woman" is the third [part], where the goddess explains. When the goddess says, "Śāriputra, if you can transform this female body, all women can also transform," it is like Śāriputra being held by supernatural power and thus unable to transform; all women are held by karma and ultimately unable to transform. If all women could transform without eliminating their karma, then Śāriputra could also transform. Just as Śāriputra is not a woman, but was transformed into a female body by another's supernatural power, all women are transformed into female bodies by the power of karma. Although manifesting a female body, seeking the characteristic of woman among the four great elements and five aggregates in dependent origination, it cannot be found; hence it is not a woman. Now, this heavenly maiden manifests a female form through the power of vows; if the conditions of sentient beings' capacities transform, the response will also transform. It is like facing a mirror where a face appears: if the face does not leave, the reflection cannot be transformed.