華嚴法界玄鏡 1.23

1.23

Next is the proper explanation of the text. Now, the first. The first line has three [parts]: first, the statement; next, from "Why is this?" downward, it explains that this eliminates clarifying emptiness detached from form and annihilationist emptiness. Regarding "detached from form": emptiness lies outside of form. Outside of form also has two [aspects]: first, clarifying emptiness in opposition to form, just as the place where a wall stands is not empty, while outside the wall is empty—this is eliminated by the third line; second, clarifying emptiness by extinguishing form, as in digging a well where earth is removed to reveal empty space, necessarily requiring the extinction of form—this is what is directly eliminated here. Therefore the *Mūlamadhyamakakārikā* states: "To exist first and then not exist—this is annihilation." However, both non-Buddhists and the two vehicles hold to annihilation. The annihilation of non-Buddhists returns to empty space; the annihilation of the two vehicles returns to nirvāṇa. Therefore Master Zhao said: "Of great delusions, none surpasses having a body; hence one extinguishes the body to return to nonbeing. Of exhausting toils, none takes precedence over having consciousness; hence one cuts off consciousness to sink into voidness." He also said: "Consciousness is a compounded poison, and the physical form is a shackle; hence they reduce the body to ashes and extinguish consciousness, utterly sweeping away and perishing without remainder." If one claims that entering extinction is identical to empty space, that is completely the same as non-Buddhists; thus the *Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra* states: "If the essence of the mind were extinguished, it would not differ from the non-Buddhists' frivolous discourse of the view of annihilation." Hence the present text says that it is not identical to annihilatory emptiness. Next, from "Because the entire essence of form…" downward, it explains the prior clause on "because it is identical to emptiness." Third, from "This is truly because…" downward concludes and confirms it. Therein, it first concludes in terms of meaning: because it is identical to true emptiness, it is not annihilation. Afterwards, from "Therefore…" downward concludes and confirms the stated designation.