金光明經文句記 4.272

4.272

初、明性非生滅。以元中末三節顯於性是中道。元無四大者，非謂獨一全無四大，以其大陰皆如來藏，性體常住、本無生相，故曰元無。既無法生，與誰相會而為和合？無和合故，無可散滅，故不論空。如此談中之義顯矣。

First, explaining that nature is neither arising nor perishing: using the three periods of origin, middle, and end to reveal that nature is the Middle Way. "Originally devoid of the four great elements" does not mean that exclusively there are no four great elements at all; rather, because the great elements and aggregates are all the tathāgatagarbha, their essential nature is eternally abiding and originally devoid of the characteristics of arising; hence it is said that they are "originally devoid." Since no dharma arises, with what could they meet to form a combination? Because there is no combination, there is nothing that can disperse and perish; therefore, emptiness is not spoken of. In this way, the meaning of discussing the middle is made manifest.