首楞嚴義疏注經 9.102

9.102

The first two lines indicate the underlying basis. The first line sets forth two aspects: 'the nature of consciousness' indicates having subtle perceptions; 'unmoving' indicates the absence of coarse perceptions. The next line further explains the meaning of 'unmoving': previously, in the sphere of nothingness, one still used the mind to investigate exhaustively so that it would not condition the conscious mind, causing it to correspond with the dharma of nothingness. Now, in this single heaven, one investigates exhaustively to extinguish the mind, subduing it and causing it not to move; hence it is said, 'one exhaustively investigates through extinction'. From 'within the unending' downward directly explains the cognitive aspect: it is relying on this place where consciousness is unmoving; hence it says 'within the unending'. Discerning it as non-perception, it therefore says 'one makes manifest the nature of exhaustion'. Although one sees it as exhausted, consciousness remains; hence it is said 'as if exhausted yet not exhausted'. Although one sees it as remaining, it does not arise; hence it is said 'as if existing yet not existing'. Due to this meaning, it is named neither-perception-nor-non-perception. This is precisely when coarse perceptions of the sixth consciousness do not arise, yet subtle portions and the continuous flowing of the ālaya still do not cease; hence the name is established based on this meaning. In accordance with the Kośa: 'The first three formless [realms] receive their names from their modes of practice; this summit of existence establishes its name based on its intrinsic nature.' When the practitioner enters this samādhi, disgusted with the perceptions of the sphere of nothingness as foolish, and perceiving places with perception as like an ulcer or a boil, they then renounce the sphere of nothingness and mindfully condition the dharma of neither having perception nor lacking perception. When the mind corresponds with this dharma, it is therefore called neither having perception nor lacking perception.