淨名玄論 1.54

1.54

問：既得互覆，應得互藏。如來為所藏故，名如來藏者；亦如來是能藏、眾生為所藏，應名眾生藏。答：亦有斯義。以眾生無二橫謂二，故二覆於無二、無二隱橫二，故眾生是能藏、如來為所藏，名為如來藏。雖復橫謂二，不出於無二，二常在無二、無二恒覆二，故如來為能藏、眾生為所藏，故名眾生藏。問：二覆於不二，不二既不現。不二覆於二，二亦應不現。答：二覆於不二，隱覆故名覆，故不二不現。不二覆於二，廣大故名覆，於緣二常現。問：於緣二常現，二可覆不二。於道未甞二，應不覆於二。答：二常在不二，故不二恒抱二，如虛空含萬像、法性外無法。

Question: Since they can mutually cover each other, they should also mutually conceal [each other]. If, because the Tathāgata is what is concealed, it is called the "tathāgatagarbha" (womb/storehouse of the Tathāgata), then because the Tathāgata is what conceals and sentient beings are what is concealed, should it also be called the "womb/storehouse of sentient beings"? Answer: There is indeed this sense. Because sentient beings, though nondual, erroneously conceive duality, duality covers nonduality and nonduality is hidden by erroneous duality; thus sentient beings are what conceals and the Tathāgata is what is concealed, which is called the "tathāgatagarbha". Although they erroneously conceive duality, [this duality] does not step outside nonduality; duality is always within nonduality, and nonduality constantly covers duality; thus the Tathāgata is what conceals and sentient beings are what is concealed, which is therefore called the "womb/storehouse of sentient beings". Question: Duality covers nonduality, so nonduality does not appear. Nonduality covers duality, so duality should also not appear. Answer: Duality covers nonduality: it is called "covering" because it conceals, and thus nonduality does not appear. Nonduality covers duality: it is called "covering" because it is vast and great, so in terms of conditions, duality constantly appears. Question: In terms of conditions, duality constantly appears, so duality can cover nonduality; but in terms of the Way, there has never been duality, so it ought not to cover duality. Answer: Duality is always within nonduality; therefore, nonduality constantly embraces duality, just as space contains the myriad forms, and outside dharmatā there is no phenomenon.