法界次第初門 3.70

3.70

Ninth, like an image in a mirror. 'Like an image in a mirror' means that the image in a mirror is not made by the mirror, not made by the face, not made by the conjunction of mirror and face, nor is it made without causes and conditions; although it does not definitively exist, it can be seen and distinguished. All dharmas are also like this: they do not exist from themselves, do not exist from another, do not exist from both, nor do they exist without causes and conditions; although they exist unobtainably, they are distinguished merely through names. Just as an image in a mirror has no real existence, yet deceives small children and causes them to produce sorrow and joy; the wise, though seeing it, immediately know it is not real, and therefore have neither sorrow nor joy. All dharmas are also like this: they deceive ordinary persons, producing various afflictions; those with true wisdom, though seeing and hearing them, know that they lack reality and do not produce latent defilements and karma; therefore, it is said to be like an image in a mirror.