金光明經玄義 1.30

1.30

問：若爾，云何以金光明譬四身二身一身無身耶？答：若以義名譬盈縮由義爾。若譬四身者，取光明之上有煜爚之焰，文云「金光晃曜」，此是譬四身之文。若譬三身，如即所用。若譬二身，金是正體，光明只是功能，以此為譬。若譬一身，但舉於金以為正譬，光明既是枝末，非正所論。若譬無身者，至寶以無貪為金，揚震四知亦以無貪為金。今以世之至寶，譬出世之至理，彌會文義也。

Question: If so, how can 'Golden Light' metaphorically illustrate four bodies, two bodies, one body, and no body? Answer: If one employs meanings and names for the metaphors, expansion and contraction depend entirely on the meaning. If metaphorically illustrating four bodies, one takes the brilliant blaze above the radiant light; the text states: 'The golden light shines brilliantly'—this is the passage illustrating the four bodies. If metaphorically illustrating three bodies, it is as currently employed. If metaphorically illustrating two bodies: gold is the primary substance, and radiant light is merely its function; these serve as the metaphor. If metaphorically illustrating one body, one points solely to gold as the principal metaphor; the radiant light, being incidental, is not what is principally discussed. If metaphorically illustrating no body: the supreme treasure takes freedom from greed as gold; Yang Zhen's 'four knowns' also take freedom from greed as gold. Now, using the supreme treasure of the world to metaphorically illustrate the supreme principle of the supramundane accords even more with the text and its meaning.