維摩經略疏垂裕記 9.74

9.74

Third, contemplating the middle truth of sentient beings based on similes such as the formless realm has two parts: first, indicating them. Regarding "Distinguishing non-existence and non-non-existence": ordinary persons and the lesser [vehicle] maintain there is no form; because there is no form, it is non-existent. Buddhas and bodhisattvas see that the formless has form, hence it is not non-existent. Therefore, form in the formless realm can illustrate the middle way's double negation of the two extremes. The fourteen similes below can be seen by analogy. Regarding "Unlike being like an illusion" and so forth: although an illusory person, the moon in water, and so forth are all unreal and provisional, they do not prevent having visible forms and appearances; hence they differ from the fifth element and so forth which are utterly non-existent. This is why the similes were divided into the true and the conventional. The fifteen similes now are all different from the previous two, and thus belong to the middle way.