肇論疏 3.13

3.13

Second is directly clarifying the causes and conditions for composing the treatise. The text also has four [parts]: first, narrating the initial cause for composing the treatise; second, explaining the original intention of composing the treatise; third, reiterating the initial cause; fourth, reiterating the treatise's intention. Here is the first. Regarding the phrase "fortunate enough to receive your reply": after the demise of Dharma Master [Kumāra]jīva, Yao Xing explained the meanings of four subjects: first, explaining the meaning of "abiding in prajñā without abiding in phenomena"; second, explaining the meaning of "the sage emitting great radiant light"; third, explaining the meaning of "the three time-periods"; fourth, explaining the meaning of "the emptiness of all dharmas". In explaining the fourth meaning, he said: "As for the Way, it takes unconditioned action as its fundamental doctrine. If it is unconditioned, what further existence is there?" Marquis Yao Song of Ancheng wrote a letter challenging the first, second, and fourth, but did not challenge the third, on the three time-periods. In challenging the fourth meaning, he said: "I do not know what those who clarify the Way take as its essence. If they take the subtle as the essence, or if they take the subtle as the fundamental doctrine, although it precedes the truth, it is not ultimate. If they take non-existence as the subtle, there must inevitably be a cause of non-nonexistence. Since cause and designation are neither of them dark-merged, how could this be the non-dual Way? Hence the treatise says: 'To be free of non-existence must inevitably entail being present in existence. Existence and non-existence give rise to each other, like the forms of long and short.' This being so, the ford between existence and non-existence is precisely where extreme views dwell." Yao Xing replied to his challenges in order, and in resolving the fourth challenge he said: "My own intention took the Way merely to reside in unconditioned action, without realizing why it is the fundamental doctrine."