法界圖記叢髓錄 1.72

1.72

Zhen's Record says: As for the ten periods, one [interpretation] says it is the tenth period, meaning the thought-moment of the universal characteristic. Another says they are ten periods, meaning the universal and the particulars are cited together. Question: If the one period of the universal characteristic takes the present single thought-moment, are the periods of the particular characteristics only eight? Answer: If, in terms of the present single thought-moment, one looks toward the past and future of the present, then antecedent and subsequent stand in mutual opposition and are established among the particular characteristics; therefore, the periods of the particular characteristics are nine, not eight. When, not looking toward antecedent and subsequent, it completely subsumes and transcends duality, it is the tenth period of the universal characteristic.