華嚴經明法品內立三寶章 2.38

2.38

Second, concerning the determination of the number of propositions, there are likewise three levels. First, regarding the mutual identity and non-mutual-identity of the one and the many, there are overall four sets of four propositions: 1. Because the one is identical to the many, it is called 'one'; 2. Because the one is identical to the many, it is 'not one'; 3. Because the one is identical to the many, it is 'both one and not one'; 4. Because the one is identical to the many, it is 'neither one nor not-one'. The many being identical to the one should be understood accordingly. The second set: 1. Because the one is not identical to the many, it is called 'one'; 2. Because the one is not identical to the many, it is 'not one'; 3. Because the one is not identical to the many, it is 'both one and not one'; 4. Because the one is identical to the many, it is 'neither one nor not-one'. The many not being identical to the one should be understood accordingly. The third set: 1. Because the one is not identical to the many, it is called 'one'; 2. Because the one is identical to the many, it is 'not one'; 3. Because it is both identical and not identical, it is 'both one and not one'; 4. Because it is neither identical nor not identical, it is 'neither one nor not-one'. The many being identical to the one should be understood accordingly. The fourth set: 1. Because the one is identical to the many, it is called 'one'; 2. Because the one is not many, it is 'not one'; 3. Because both [apply], 'both [one and not one]'; 4. Because neither applies, 'neither [one nor not one]'. The many and the one should also be understood accordingly. Therefore, in the above, there are sixteen propositions in direct order and sixteen in reverse order, making thirty-two propositions in all. Second, regarding presence and absence, there are likewise thirty-two propositions. Third, regarding emptiness and non-emptiness, there are likewise thirty-two propositions. Therefore, together there are ninety-six propositions. Furthermore, if the three levels interpenetrate, there are three sets of four propositions: 1. either solely emptiness and non-emptiness, or solely identity and non-identity, or both, or neither; 2. either solely presence and absence, or solely emptiness and non-emptiness, or solely neither, etc.; 3. either solely identity and non-identity, or solely presence and absence, etc. The four propositions should be understood accordingly. Therefore, three times four makes twelve propositions, which, combined with the preceding ninety-six, make a total of one hundred and eight doctrinal propositions.