華嚴五十要問答 1.38

1.38

問：華嚴經教因何據菩提樹及佛為始，餘說法處及菩薩有情竝說為末？答：若據迷論，舉心動念竝是遍計，即空無法。今由佛智善覺本性，息相還原，設教綱維皆是佛智，故據佛為始，離佛以外無有一法也。

Question: Why does the teaching of the Avataṃsaka-sūtra take the bodhi tree and the buddha as the beginning, while other places of preaching the Dharma, bodhisattvas, and sentient beings are all spoken of as the end? Answer: If discussed in terms of delusion, every movement of mind and stirring of thought is parikalpita, which is empty and non-existent. Now, because the buddha's wisdom skilfully realizes the fundamental nature, puts an end to characteristics, and returns to the source, the overarching principles of the established teaching are all the buddha's wisdom. Therefore, it takes the buddha as the beginning; outside of the buddha, there is not a single dharma.