大乘起信論義記別記 1.58

1.58

Thirty-fourth: Tathāgatagarbha, distinguished through two approaches: first, explanation through metaphor; second, explanation through the Dharma. As for explanation through metaphor: taking the nature of gold for example, it has two meanings: first, the meaning of being pliable and conforming to conditions to form vessels; second, the meaning of preserving its nature, steadfastly abiding without changing. Question: Is gold existent? Answer: No. Why is that? Because it conforms to conditions to form vessels. Question: Is gold non-existent? Answer: No. Why is that? Because its nature does not change. Further question: Is it both existent and non-existent? Answer: No. Because it is one gold, there is no contradiction. Further question: Is it neither existent nor non-existent? Answer: No, because the nature of gold is complete with virtues, conforming to conditions without changing; this is the approach of manifesting virtues. Further question: Is the vessel existent? Answer: No, because the vessel is identical to gold. Further question: Is the vessel non-existent? Answer: No, because the vessel is formed. Further question: Is it both existent and non-existent? Answer: No, because it is one vessel, there is no contradiction. Further question: Is it neither existent nor non-existent? Answer: No, because the formed vessel is identical to gold; this conversely is also the approach of manifesting virtues. Further question: Is gold non-existent? Answer: No, because the vessel is formed. Why is this so? Because only through its nature not changing is it able to conform to conditions. Further question: Is gold existent? Answer: No, because its nature does not change. Why is this so? Because only through the vessel being formed does its nature not change. Further question: Is it both existent and non-existent? Answer: No, because it is gold. Further question: Is it neither existent nor non-existent? Answer: No, because it is gold. Further question: Is the vessel existent? Answer: No, because the vessel is formed. Why is this so? Because only through being identical to gold is the vessel formed. Question: Is the vessel existent? Answer: No, because the vessel is identical to gold. Why is this so? Because the vessel is identical to gold, the vessel is formed. The remaining propositions should be understood accordingly; conversely they are just the approach of manifesting virtues. All the rest are to be known by analogy to this.