華嚴一乘教義分齊章 4.62

4.62

Fourth, the distinct characteristic: the various conditions, such as the rafters, are differentiated in relation to one another according to their own shapes and types. Question: "If they are distinct, should they not be non-identical?" Answer: "Precisely because they are distinct, they are therefore identical. If they were not distinct, then since the rafter is twelve feet long, the tile should also be so, thereby destroying the nature of the original conditions and forfeiting the previous meaning of equally and identically establishing the house. Now, since the house is established and they are identically named conditions, one should know they are distinct." Question: "What difference is there between this and the particular characteristic?" Answer: "The previous particular characteristic spoke of the rafters and other conditions merely being distinct from the single house, hence it was called the particular characteristic. Now, the distinct characteristic is that the various conditions such as rafters look to one another and each has a different characteristic." Question: "If they were not distinct, what flaw would there be?" Answer: "There would be the flaws of annihilationism and eternalism. Why? If they were not distinct, the tiles would be identical with the rafter in being twelve feet long, destroying the nature of the original conditions so that they would not jointly establish the house—hence this is annihilationism. If, having destroyed the conditions and not established the house, one clings to the house's existence, a house would exist without a cause—hence this is eternalism."