華嚴一乘成佛妙義 1.26

1.26

Fourth, regarding the faction of the Sudden Teaching: there is only one approach, namely the signless. Why? Because it is accomplished through the samādhi of integrated practice and by boarding that single-flavor tathatā, it cannot be said to be accomplished through approaches of various distinct marks. Furthermore, being completely free from all these is what is called a Buddha. Regarding the time of cultivation, the *Kongmu* says: 'According to the meaning of the Sudden Teaching, it cannot be spoken of.' Regarding gotra, the lower fascicle says: 'Only the single tathatā, transcendent of speech and severed from signs, is called gotra.' Nor does it distinguish the difference between inherent nature and habituation, because all dharmas have no dual marks. Therefore the *Sarvadharmāpravṛtti-nirdeśa* says: 'How is this matter called gotra? Mañjuśrī! All sentient beings are of a single mark, ultimately unarisen and free from all names; because oneness and difference cannot be apprehended, this is called gotra.' Furthermore, regarding practices and stages: all practices and stages cannot be spoken of, because they are free from signs. Since not a single thought arising is immediately reaching the Buddha, if one sees distinct marks of practices, stages, and so forth, that is an inversion. If manifested through provisional words, it is as the *Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra* says: 'The first stage is itself the eighth stage,' and up to saying: 'There is nothing that exists; what sequence could there be?' Regarding the supporting body: since all practices and stages cannot be spoken of, the supporting body and form are also understood by analogy with this.