淨名玄論 6.6

6.6

Question: In studying the Buddha's two truths, what are success and failure? Please explain them. Answer: Taking the two truths to have a fixed nature is failure; taking the two truths to be conditionally arisen provisional designations is success. As for the so-called two truths of fixed nature: if there is an existence that can exist, then there is a non-existence that can be non-existent. An existence that can exist does not exist due to non-existence; a non-existence that can be non-existent is not non-existent due to existence. Not existing due to non-existence, existence is not non-existence's existence; not being non-existent due to existence, non-existence is not existence's non-existence. Existence not being non-existence's existence, existence is intrinsic existence; non-existence not being existence's non-existence, non-existence is intrinsic non-existence. If existence is intrinsic existence, existence constitutes the view of existence; if non-existence is intrinsic non-existence, non-existence constitutes the view of non-existence. If the two views of existence and non-existence are established, then the sixty-two views are erected, since existence and non-existence are the root of all views. As the Lotus Sūtra says: 'Such views as existence and non-existence, / depending on the mind, / are complete as the sixty-two.' Once there are these views, craving then arises: one gives rise to craving for one's own view and anger toward others' views. Views are the drive of delusion; when there are further craving and wrath, afflictions are fully present. Once afflictions exist, karma ensues. If karma and delusion are established, one cannot escape birth, old age, sickness, death, sorrow, lamentation, suffering, and distress; this is called failure. Next, contrasting with failure to explain success: now there is no existence that can exist, and thus no non-existence that can be non-existent. Lacking an existence that can exist, it exists due to non-existence; lacking a non-existence that can be non-existent, it is non-existent due to existence. Existing due to non-existence, existence is non-existence's existence; being non-existent due to existence, non-existence is existence's non-existence. Non-existence is not non-existent of itself; non-existent existence does not exist of itself. Because it does not exist of itself, it is not existence; because it is not non-existent of itself, it is not non-existence. Neither existence nor non-existence, they are provisionally called existence and non-existence.