華嚴經義海百門 1.28

1.28

Eighth, non-differentiation: this means that seeing the characteristics of a dust mote as round and small, differing in delimitation from all phenomena, is differentiation. Contemplating the dust mote as lacking essence, all is completely empty; manifested solely by principle, there is no further differing essence—this is non-differentiation. Furthermore, this nature of principle accords with conditions to form all phenomena without lacking delimitations—this is differentiation. The sūtra says: "All phenomena are without differentiation; / only the Buddha through discrimination knows them, / comprehending differentiated and undifferentiated phenomena, / because they are not apart from principle and phenomena." Thus, differentiation is the myriad existents of pratītyasamutpāda; non-differentiation is the single emptiness of the dharmadhātu. Because emptiness and existence, identity and difference inter-fuse, gathering the myriad existents to become the single emptiness, difference is non-difference; contemplating the single emptiness to form the myriad existents, non-difference is difference. Difference and non-difference manifest in a single realm; if formulated through the four propositions, it can be seen.