華嚴一乘教義分齊章 3.25

3.25

Seventh, using the defilements arisen from delusion regarding the three non-natures to provisionally clarify the three bodies: hence that sūtra says, 'All ordinary beings, on account of three characteristics, have bondage and obscurations, are far removed from the three bodies, and do not reach the three bodies. What are the three? The first is the characteristic of conceptual discrimination; the second is the characteristic of dependent origination; the third is the characteristic of consummate perfection. Because they cannot understand, cannot extinguish, and cannot purify these three characteristics, they cannot reach the three bodies. When these three characteristics can be understood, can be extinguished, and can be purified, the buddhas reach the three bodies.' The commentary explains: 'can understand' refers to the imaginary nature, because it should only be understood; 'can extinguish' refers to the defiled part of the dependent nature, because it should be severed and extinguished; 'can purify' refers to true suchness within bondage, because it is cultivated so as to become pure.