華嚴一乘教義分齊章 4.27

4.27

Second, establishing [them]: Question: 'Why are six meanings definitively posited, neither increasing to seven nor decreasing to five?' Answer: 'Because when the direct cause is contrasted with conditions, there are only three meanings: first, the cause is potent and does not depend on conditions, because it produces the whole entity without being mixed with the power of conditions; second, the cause is potent and depends on conditions, because they mutually assist and initiate [the result]; third, the cause is impotent and depends on conditions, because it does not act at all, the cause reverting to the conditions. Furthermore, due to the above three meanings, within the cause there are each two meanings: namely, the meaning of emptiness and the meaning of existence. Since each of the two approaches has three meanings, there are only six, neither increasing nor decreasing.' Question: 'Why is a fourth proposition, the meaning of being impotent and not dependent on conditions, not established?' Answer: 'Because that is not the meaning of a cause, it is not established, as can be seen upon reflection.' Question: 'Regarding