起信論疏筆削記 10.38

10.38

"First, empty..." is the second part, specifically explaining the four meanings in the mirror, with two parts in the text: first, a brief correlation. "Empty": this is explained in terms of the true essence being fundamentally free from delusional defilement; as the text says: "Because from the beginningless past, all defiled dharmas have not been associated [with it]," just as a mirror has only its luminous nature, hence it is called "empty." What appears in the mirror is merely a reflected image, whose mark is originally non-existent; this also constitutes the meaning of "empty." "Not empty, etc.": although it is free from delusional defilement, it nevertheless possesses its own essence and the virtues of its nature. If it lacked its essence, with what could it manifest things? The remaining two can be known. These four are correlated in order with the four meanings. Here, presenting both first and then explaining individually is because space is revealed in accordance with the mirror. Merely explaining the meaning of the mirror inherently encompasses empty space, because each and every meaning has the pervasiveness like empty space; therefore, it is explained individually.