摩訶止觀 5.96

5.96

總釋者，夫相以據外，覽而可別。《釋論》云：「易知故名為相。如水火相異，則易可知。」如人面色具諸休否，覽外相即知其內。昔孫、劉相顯，曹公相隱；相者舉聲大哭：「四海三分，百姓荼毒！」若言有相，闇者不知；若言無相，占者洞解。當隨善相者，信人面外具一切相也。心亦如是，具一切相。眾生相隱，彌勒相顯，如來善知，故遠近皆記。不善觀者，不信心具一切相。當隨如實觀者，信心具一切相也。

Regarding the general explanation: characteristics are based on the external; they can be observed and distinguished. The Treatise states: "Because it is easy to know, it is called a characteristic. Just as the characteristics of water and fire are different, they are easily known." Just as a person's facial complexion possesses all signs of fortune and misfortune, observing the external characteristics one immediately knows the internal. In the past, Sun [Quan's] and Liu [Bei's] characteristics were prominent, whereas Duke Cao [Cao's] characteristics were concealed; a physiognomist wept aloud: "The four seas are divided in three, and the common people suffer bitter hardship!" If one says there are characteristics, the benighted do not know them; if one says there are no characteristics, the diviner penetrates and understands them. One should follow the skilled physiognomist and believe that the exterior of a human face possesses all characteristics. The mind is also like this, possessing all characteristics. The sentient beings' characteristics are concealed, while Maitreya's characteristics are prominent; the Tathāgata knows them well, and therefore makes prophecies for both the distant and the near. Those who are not skilled in contemplation do not believe that the mind possesses all characteristics. One should follow those who contemplate reality as it is, and believe that the mind possesses all characteristics.