金光明經玄義 1.12

1.12

What is meant by "three"? What is meant by "jewel"? The Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha are the three; that which can be honoured and revered is called a jewel. The ultimate principle can be honoured, so it is called the jewel of the Dharma. The wisdom that awakens to the principle can be honoured, so it is called the jewel of the Buddha. Vairocana pervades all places; phenomena are themselves the principle, and this harmony can be honoured, so it is called the jewel of the Saṅgha. These three jewels are each permanence, bliss, self, and purity; because they are permanence, bliss, self, and purity, they can be honoured and revered. One should know that the three virtues and the three jewels are neither dual nor distinct. Since the Suvarṇaprabhāsa serves as a metaphor for the three virtues, the Suvarṇaprabhāsa also serves as a metaphor for the three jewels.