維摩經略疏 8.85

8.85

From "At that moment" downward is the third [part], where the goddess retracts her supernatural power. This is neither transformation nor non-transformation, completing the Middle Way as before. The text has four parts: first, retracting supernatural power and restoring Śāriputra's body, asking where the characteristic of a woman is; second, Śāriputra answers; third, the goddess confirms the Middle Way of neither transformation nor non-transformation; fourth, citing the Buddha's words as proof. In the first passage, it signifies that if the female karma of all sentient beings dissipates, the female body transforms and no characteristic of a woman is seen. If the capacity of sentient beings dissipates, then the responding woman also dissipates and there is no characteristic of a woman. Next is Śāriputra's answer. When he says, "It is neither present nor not present," it means that although the physical characteristic of the female body has vanished, he does not see it as being either present or not present. From "The goddess said to not present" is the third [part], where the goddess confirms these words. This is an exposition that accords with the Middle Way, fulfilling the previous contemplation of sentient beings to its source; hence she confirms it. From "Now, being neither present to has spoken" is the fourth [part], which cites the Buddha's words as proof: not only does it accord with the goddess's intention, but it also does not contradict what the Great Sage has spoken.