俱舍論記 5.215

5.215

「非為顯書分至非書分名」者，答。非為顯紙上書分製造阿、𧙃等字，但為顯阿、𧙃等字製造紙上書分。寄喻來況，非為顯假像製造真容，但為顯真容製造假像。古昔諸賢共相議論，云何當令遠處他人，雖不聞我所說語言，而亦得解。故相共造紙上書分，傳令遠寄以顯諸字，字復能顯名句二種，彼方得解。是故諸字非是書分之名，此顯製造書分所以。以此准知，雖不聞聲，色亦能顯字、名、句三。或有雖不發言，以身表語，亦色顯名等。

On "They were not created to reveal written strokes... are not the designations of written strokes": this is the answer. Syllables such as a and ā were not created in order to reveal written strokes on paper; rather, written strokes on paper were created solely to reveal syllables such as a and ā. To illustrate by an analogy: a portrait is not created to reveal a replica, but a replica is created to reveal the true countenance. In ancient times, the wise discussed together: "How can we cause someone far away to understand, even if they do not hear our spoken words?" Thus, together they created written strokes on paper to transmit to distant places to reveal phonemes; the phonemes can then reveal both words and phrases, and that person can then understand. Therefore, phonemes are not the designations of written strokes; this shows the reason why written strokes were created. By this one may infer that although sounds are not heard, form (rūpa) can also reveal phonemes, words, and phrases. Or, even without speaking, one indicates speech by physical bodily expression (kāya-vijñapti), which is also form revealing words and so forth.