維摩經略疏 1.36

1.36

Question: When this sūtra states, 'Eating from the same precious vessel, they see the color of the rice as different,' is the difference seen with physical substance, or without physical substance? Answer: One should also make four propositions. 1. In defilement/purity, remainder, and true retribution, all see difference with physical substance. 2. Seeing form that has physical obstruction as having no physical obstruction: this is when bodhisattvas, relying on the Buddha's wisdom, see all three lands as Silent Light. 3. Seeing form without physical obstruction as having physical obstruction: namely, sentient beings of the three lands see differing substances within Eternal Silent Light. 4. Seeing form without physical obstruction as having no physical obstruction: this is when the buddhas' minds are pure and the land is pure, seeing the Land of Eternal Silent Light as the equal dharmadhātu of suchness. Being without shape and without substance, twelve differences have been briefly set forth; fully deduced, they are immeasurable. Although they are immeasurable, they are all like empty space; therefore Vimalakīrti's empty room symbolizes that the buddha-lands of the ten directions are all entirely empty.