金光明經玄義 2.5

2.5

Question: The mind has four aggregates; why abandon three and contemplate only one? Answer: Among all things under heaven, only humanity is noble. In a seven-foot body, only the head is noble. In the head there are seven apertures, and the eyes are noble. Although the eyes are noble, they are not as noble as the luminous intellect. One should know that among the four aggregates, the mind is noble; because it is noble, it is contemplated. Because the mind is noble, the mind is precisely gold. Now, a firefly illuminates only itself. Lamps, candles, jewels, and fire, though they illuminate others, their light does not reach far. The light of stars and the moon dwells together with darkness. The light of the sun can illuminate all under heaven, but cannot illuminate the principle. The light of mental wisdom can generate wisdom and illuminate the principle; hence the mind is light. If the mind is foolish and dark, the physical body becomes haggard; if the mind has the light of wisdom, the complexion is full and radiant. Therefore the *Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā* says: 'Because prajñā is great, form is great; because prajñā is pure, form is pure; it can also enrich and benefit sensation, perception, and formations.' The mind is precisely radiance. Furthermore, knowing that the mind is devoid of mind is named 'light'; knowing that perception is devoid of perception and knowing that formations are devoid of formations is named 'radiance.' Furthermore, knowing that the four aggregates are not the four aggregates is named 'light'; knowing that the aggregate of form is not the aggregate of form is named 'radiance.' Furthermore, knowing that the five aggregates are not the five aggregates is named 'light'; knowing that the provisional person is not the provisional person is named 'radiance.' Furthermore, knowing that direct retribution is not direct retribution is named 'light'; knowing that environmental retribution is not environmental retribution is named 'radiance.' Furthermore, knowing that environmental and direct retributions are not environmental and direct retributions is named 'light'; knowing that all dharmas are devoid of all dharmas is named 'radiance.' One who grasps this meaning realizes the Suvarṇaprabhāsa of contemplating the mind.