維摩經略疏 5.151

5.151

"If prophecy is received by means of unproducedness, unproducedness is precisely the correct status." This directly refutes Maitreya with respect to the principle of unproducedness: within principle, there is no prophecy. Why? Prophecy is originally based on the fulfillment of wisdom and severance, so the Zhìdù lùn says: 'Bodhi is the designation for fulfillment.' Principle is neither arising nor perishing, so there is no wisdom and severance; how can one speak of the fulfillment of wisdom and severance? Thus, the unproducedness of both biased and perfect [truths] is not wisdom and severance. Since there is not even wisdom and severance, how much less the fruit of bodhi! As for 'unproducedness is precisely the correct status,' the unproducedness of both biased and perfect [truths] is the correct status, which is the ultimate principle. If one explains the ultimate on the basis of principle, the ultimate principle is not a rank, but is the root of all ranks. Just as the position of the Son of Heaven is ultimate, and on this basis the civil and military ranks exist, so now the ranks of bodhisattvas of the three teachings all exist due to the principle of unproducedness. Therefore, the Diamond Prajñā says: 'All noble persons are distinguished by unconditioned dharmas.' The correct status of unproducedness is the equal and genuine realm of reality, where the Buddha does not deliver sentient beings; how could there be the meaning that one receives [prophecy] to attain bodhi in one lifetime across the three teachings? Therefore, within the correct status, there is neither reception of prophecy nor attainment of the fruit of bodhi. Why is this so? Both kinds of unproducedness are neither cause nor effect; how could one receive in the cause within the three teachings a future prophecy of the fulfillment of wisdom and severance? The correct status of both kinds of unproducedness is not an effect; how can one speak of attaining the fruit of bodhi explained by the three teachings? Therefore it is said: 'How could Maitreya receive the prophecy of one lifetime?' If even Maitreya, being adjacent to the correct status of the ultimate fruit, has no reception of prophecy, how much less could those who have initially generated the mind of the three teachings yearn to enter the correct status of unproducedness and receive the prophecy of bodhi! Therefore, rebuking Maitreya's reception of prophecy adjacent to the fruit indirectly refutes those who adhere to the three teachings and yearn for the rank of prophecy of unproducedness. Thus, the mistaken pursuits of the Shared and Distinct [Teachings] all turn toward the Perfect Teaching, and yearnings all cease as well.