華嚴法界玄鏡 1.55

1.55

Explanation: The third [part] categorizes the above two gates. Within it there are three: first, stating that it is difficult to illustrate; second, using a metaphor to explain it distinctively; third, questions, answers, and explanations. Now this is the first. Regarding "difficult to see": because the principle is profound; some editions say "separated from views," where being separated from views simply means transcending ordinary comprehension. As for saying "difficult to see": it is conceivable to see the principle, so below a metaphor is applied to explain what is hard to speak of, meaning worldly metaphors can hardly illustrate it. Regarding "hard to illustrate": phenomena and principle are distinct yet mutually pervade. Because principle pervades phenomena, the signless is entirely present within signs; because phenomena pervade principle, a single dust particle has no boundary or division. Since a single dust particle has no boundary or division, how could any dharma conform to ordinary perception? Since the signless is entirely present within signs, when was the ultimate principle ever distant? Identical to signs yet signless, it is difficult to behold even with the five eyes; as for a phenomenon containing the complete principle, how could worldly dharmas serve as a metaphor? Therefore the sūtra states: "Just as the dharmadhātu pervades everything, it cannot be seen or grasped as everything." It also states: "All dharmas of existence and non-existence in the three realms cannot serve as metaphors for this." This shows that the ocean metaphor below is also only a partial metaphor.