華嚴經義海百門 1.126

1.126

八、明本末者，謂塵空無性，是本；塵相差別，是末。末即非末，以相無不盡故；本亦非本，以不礙緣成故。即以非本為本，雖空而恒有；以非末為末，雖有而恒空。當知末即隨緣，本即據體。今體為用本，用依體起。經云「從無住本立一切法。」

Eighth, explaining root and branch: the emptiness and lack of intrinsic nature of the dust mote is the root; the distinctions among the marks of the dust mote are the branch. The branch is non-branch, because its marks are completely exhausted; the root is also non-root, because it does not obstruct completion through conditions. Thus non-root is taken as the root: though empty, it constantly exists; non-branch is taken as the branch: though existing, it is constantly empty. One should know that the branch accords with conditions, while the root relies on essence. Here, essence is the root of function, and function arises in reliance on essence. A sūtra states: "From the root of non-abiding all dharmas are established."