金光明經玄義 1.14

1.14

What is meant by "three"? What is meant by "kāya" (body)? Dharmakāya, saṃbhogakāya, and nirmāṇakāya are the three. An aggregation of three kinds of dharmas is called a kāya. What is called the aggregation of principle-dharmas is named the dharmakāya; the aggregation of wisdom-dharmas is named the saṃbhogakāya; the aggregation of merit-dharmas is named the nirmāṇakāya. However, the principle has neither aggregation nor dispersal; it is by way of meaning that we speak of aggregation and dispersal. Beginning from the initial mind, the correct principle is revealed, up to ultimate realization, where the aggregation of principle is fully complete. Beginning from the initial mind to the ultimate realization, the wisdom that reveals the principle is fully complete as an aggregation of wisdom. Beginning from the initial mind to the ultimate realization, the aggregation of merit is fully complete. Therefore, taking the three aggregations of dharmas constitutes the trikāya. One should know that the trikāya are each permanence, bliss, self, and purity, which are the three virtues; being honourable and reverend, they are the three jewels; being non-arising and non-ceasing, they are nirvāṇa, neither dual nor distinct. Since the Suvarṇaprabhāsa serves as a metaphor for the three virtues and so forth, the Suvarṇaprabhāsa also serves as a metaphor for the trikāya.