華嚴經明法品內立三寶章 1.17

1.17

In the first there are three meanings: First, the approach of examining meaning in relation to phenomena: that is, with respect to the Buddha's essence, the aspect of the meaning of awakening and illumination is called the Buddha Jewel; the aspect of the meaning of that Buddha's virtues as a model is called the Dharma Jewel; and the exhaustion of the fault of discord and dispute is called the Saṅgha Jewel. Although the three meanings are distinct, the Buddha's virtues are not different; hence it is called the common characteristic. This takes the Buddha's uncontaminated virtues as the essence; this meaning applies across the vehicles, differing only in shallowness or depth, with the sole exception of humans and devas, because they do not comprehend it. Second, the approach of integrating phenomena into principle: that is, although the characteristics of the Three Jewels are distinct, they identically take true emptiness and wondrous principle as their nature; hence they are said to be common. The Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra says: "If one can contemplate the Three Jewels as eternal, they are identical to the ultimate truth." There is no distinction between one's own nature and the Buddha-nature; this takes true emptiness as the essence. This meaning applies across the teachings, with the sole exception of ordinary beings and the Small Vehicle. Third, the approach of the fused manifestation of principle and meaning: within the tathatā of the mind-nature, inherent enlightenment free from thought is called the Buddha Jewel; the fact that within this there are nature-virtues [as numerous as] the sands of the Ganges that can serve as models and functions is called the Dharma Jewel; the fact that these virtues [as numerous as] the sands of the Ganges are tacitly harmonized and non-dual is called the Saṅgha Jewel. Thus a sūtra says: "Within the Buddha-nature there are precisely Dharma and Saṅgha." Furthermore, the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa says: "The Buddha is precisely the Dharma; the Dharma is precisely the assembly." The unconditioned characteristics of these Three Jewels being equal to empty space is their common characteristic. Therefore, if discussed in terms of the meaning of awakening, all are called Buddha; spoken of as a norm, there is none that is not Dharma; tacitly corresponding and harmoniously united, there is none that is not Saṅgha. Spoken of conceptually there are three, which cannot be made one; yet having no separate essence, how could they be different? Hence they are called the common characteristic. This meaning applies across the teachings, with the sole exception of the Small Vehicle and the initial teaching. The section on the common essence is concluded.