二諦義 1.52

1.52

Question: If these three levels of the two truths are all negated, what is used as the teaching of the two truths? Explanation: In terms of conditions, it is subjective conception; in terms of the Buddha expounding it, it is the portal of teaching. Now we explain that these are all subjective conceptions and must all be negated. Why? What is seen through subjective conception is entirely false and illusory; therefore it is negated. Furthermore, not only is the false negated, there is also no real. Originally, because there was the false, there was the real; once the false is absent, the real is also absent, revealing the pure and correct Path. This is also called the dharmakāya, also called the correct Path, and also called the true mark. Yet this already eradicates traditional views. Why? Traditionally it is said: afflictions that grasp marks induce the retribution of the six destinies; this must be negated. Negating the saṃsāra of the six destinies, one attains the Tathāgata's nirvāṇa. Now we explain: only if there is saṃsāra could there be nirvāṇa; since there is no saṃsāra, there is no nirvāṇa. Without saṃsāra and without nirvāṇa, saṃsāra and nirvāṇa are both false and illusory; being neither saṃsāra nor nirvāṇa is precisely called the true mark. Provisionally, one distinguishes the real in contrast to the false; if that false does not exist, there is no real either. If distinguished in terms of the three tiers of the two truths, traditional thinkers established negation and affirmation within the first tier of the two truths. Why? They negated conventional truth to establish ultimate truth. Why? Afflictions grasping marks induce the retribution of the six destinies, which is called conventional truth; severing afflictions that grasp marks, the retribution of the six destinies ceases—this is negating conventional truth, and there is the objective realm of ultimate truth. From the objective realm of ultimate truth, the wondrous cognition of the Buddha arises; this is negating conventional truth to establish ultimate truth. Now we clarify that these two truths are both subjective conceptions, and all must be negated. Not only must the first tier of the two truths be negated, even up to the third tier, all must be negated. Why? These are all subjective conceptions; therefore they must be negated. This is provisionally negating the three, not negating the non-three.