成唯識論演祕 2.682

2.682

答：經以虛空喻淨法界，若取依如所立虛空，能所喻法便無異矣；取依識變，識變有為，不可為喻。故彼經云：如虛空中種種色相現生、現滅，而此虛空無生無滅，如是如來淨法界中，諸知變化利眾生事現生、現滅，而淨法界無生滅，故知不取依識變者。

Answer: The sūtra uses space as a simile for the pure dharmadhātu. If one takes space established on Suchness, the vehicle of the simile and what is compared would not be different; if one takes what is transformed by consciousness, what is transformed by consciousness is conditioned, and cannot serve as a simile. Hence that sūtra says: 'Just as in space various material marks manifest arising and manifest ceasing, yet this space has no arising and no ceasing; likewise, within the Tathāgata's pure dharmadhātu, all activities of knowledge, transformation, and benefiting sentient beings manifest arising and manifest ceasing, yet the pure dharmadhātu has no arising and no ceasing.' Hence we know it does not refer to what is transformed based on consciousness.