法界圖記叢髓錄 1.83

1.83

The Daoshen zhang states: Question: Since the three realms constitute the Buddha's body and mind, is it because the Buddha's body is exceedingly vast that sentient beings and the like are within the Buddha's body and mind? Or are the karma and fruits of sentient beings themselves precisely the Buddha? Answer: Both meanings are obtained. The 'Vairocana Chapter' says: 'Within a single pore of the Buddha, immeasurable sentient beings abide, each experiencing suffering and pleasure, yet they do not know coming or going,' and so forth. Furthermore, it is also obtained that the karma and fruits of sentient beings and so forth are themselves precisely the Buddha. Question: If the karma and fruits of sentient beings are themselves the Buddha, they have been Buddha from of old; why say that only at the time of first generating the mind does one become a Buddha? Answer: One has been Buddha from of old, but it is only at the time of generating the mind that one comes to know one is Buddha. Just as running in a dream is inherently quiescent within the dream, yet upon waking in the morning one only then knows that running was just lying down.