維摩經略疏 8.83

8.83

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.