金光明經文句記 4.29

4.29

First, clarifying the intent of using the propositions. If one directly says that emptiness is the meaning of the Middle Way capable of emptying the two extremes, how about the heterodox, Hinayāna, and Distinct teachings, which all speak of the double negation that empties existence and non-existence? Thus, those deluded by names claim that they are the same as the present [teaching]; how could they transcendently awaken to the extremes themselves being the Middle emptiness? Moreover, it is feared that some might think: 'If it is the Complete and Real, it should speak of the Middle Way; why is it only called emptiness? Emptiness only departs from existence; how could this Middle Way doubly depart from both extremes?' To prevent this misconception, the three pairs of six propositions—mutual refutation, mutual cultivation, and mutual identity—are formulated and analyzed by comparison. If the names of various dharmas' characteristics become conflated, without these six propositions one could not distinguish their differences and identities.