肇論疏 2.19

2.19

The second part discerns the characteristics. The "characteristics" spoken of here are not the characteristics of having characteristics, but the characteristics of being without characteristics. The *Laozi* says: "Empty their minds, fill their bellies, weaken their wills, strengthen their bones." Here this phrase is borrowed. "Empties his mind" means not grasping at characteristics. "Fills his illumination" means knowing all phenomena completely. Therefore, "he can silently shine and conceal his light": Because he does not grasp at characteristics, he can secretly illuminate the myriad phenomena. "Concealing his light" means hiding the light of wisdom without grasping at characteristics. "Emptying the mind" means the mind has no attachments. "Profound contemplation" means deep observation. "Closing wisdom" means not discriminating. "Blocking hearing" means not taking in sounds. Furthermore, shining without shining is called silent shining; giving light without light is called concealing light; being mindful without a mind is called an empty mind; observing without observing is called profound contemplation; knowing without knowing is called closing wisdom; and hearing without hearing is called blocking hearing. Although he closes wisdom and blocks hearing, he uniquely awakens to the principle of ultimate emptiness; hence it says, "he uniquely awakens to the obscure and dark." The expression "the obscure and dark" (*mingming*) comes from the *Zhuangzi*. The *Zhuangzi* says: "Luminosity is born from the obscure and dark; order is born from the formless." Here this phrase is borrowed to serve as a metaphor for ultimate emptiness.