金剛般若論會釋 2.17

2.17

In explaining subtle atoms, first is the presentation, then the explanation. Foolish ordinary beings all cling to the image-appearance of the material body as real, having the characteristic of a single combination; thus the two clingings arise. Now, in order to refute this, two skillful means are revealed. 'Fang' means cause: the coarse body of a single combination has the subtle as its cause, so not recollecting the cause as real existence is called the 'skillful means of non-recollection'. Furthermore, skillful means is the marvelous functioning of wisdom: contemplating the coarse combined body as having subtle atoms as its cause, since the coarse is unreal and a combination, one does not recollect subtle atoms as really existent; both are the function of wisdom. This is just what the Consciousness-Only [treatise] says: 'For the sake of those who cling to coarse form as real existence, the Buddha spoke of subtle atoms to make them dissect it'; this is precisely this meaning. Therefore, making it subtle as a skillful means refers to subtle atoms, because the combined coarse world has subtle atoms as its cause. Furthermore, using wisdom to dissect the coarse world into atoms is the functional efficacy of wisdom. This is what the Consciousness-Only [treatise] says: 'The yogic practitioners, by means of the wisdom of conceptualization, gradually dissect it until it cannot be dissected, and conceptually designate it as a subtle atom.' The 'skillful means of non-recollection' means not clinging to the causal atoms as real or existent. 'Recollection' has the meaning of contemplation and clinging. Although the Buddha used these subtle atoms as a provisional metaphor, fearing that there would be clingers who would take them to be taught as real existents, he said they are 'not fine dust-atoms', which is termed 'non-recollection'. Moreover, teaching bodhisattvas to employ metaphors to contemplate without generating clinging is the skillful capacity of wisdom; hence the Consciousness-Only [treatise] says: 'It does not mean that forms are real existents; subtle atoms refute their clinging.'