淨名玄論 5.34

5.34

Question: Is it that the middle suppresses and the provisional severs, or that the provisional [suppresses] and the middle severs? Answer: Realization is attained in accordance with conditions; there is no fixed rule. In some cases the middle suppresses and the provisional severs: as when seeking an intrinsic existence or non-existence cannot be obtained, it is therefore called neither existence nor non-existence and designated as "the middle." This only suppresses intrinsic existence and non-existence, but has not yet severed them. Next, when provisional existence and provisional non-existence are clarified, intrinsic existence and non-existence are first severed. Why is this? Once one recognizes provisional existence and provisional non-existence, one knows that ultimately there is no fixed intrinsic existence or non-existence. Therefore, [severing] fixed intrinsic existence and non-existence is called severance by provisional designation. Next, regarding "the provisional suppresses and the middle severs": in contrast to intrinsic existence and non-existence, provisional existence and non-existence are spoken of in order to suppress intrinsic existence and non-existence; hence it is called provisional suppression. Next, when one realizes that provisional existence is not existence and provisional non-existence is not non-existence, neither existence nor non-existence is called the middle path. The former intrinsic existence and non-existence are then permanently severed for the first time; hence it is said that the provisional suppresses and the middle severs. Question: Can it also be in the order of provisional suppresses and provisional severs, and middle suppresses and middle severs? Answer: There is also this meaning. If, upon recognizing provisional existence and non-existence, intrinsic existence and non-existence are permanently severed, this is called provisional severance. There are cases where recognizing provisional existence and non-existence only suppresses intrinsic existence and non-existence, but has not yet severed them. There are cases where realizing neither existence nor non-existence only suppresses intrinsic nature. There are cases where realizing neither existence nor non-existence permanently severs intrinsic afflictions without needing to speak of the provisional.