金光明經玄義 2.25

2.25

Third, critical analysis. Question: Is dharmatā definitively empty, or is it not empty? Answer: Dharmatā surpasses the purity of what the bodhisattvas practice; it is pure of the four propositions, and one should not seek it through emptiness or existence. Although it is not of the four propositions, at times, in response to conditions, it is explained in terms of the four propositions. The text says, 'The sphere of the Two-Footed World-Honoured One is also empty.' The new translation says, 'This third body is truly existent.' It also says, 'The former two kinds of bodies are conventionally existent.' It also says, 'Neither existent nor non-existent.' These are the four propositions, the purport of the four gates. Although there are four gates, awakening to the principle is not a matter of numbers. The Buddha showed people the dharma of non-contention; one should not grasp onto these to dispute with one another. The old translation clarified emptiness, and the new translation clarified existence; when explained with the meaning of substance as penetration, the two texts do not conflict. This is precisely the meaning.