四明尊者教行錄 3.44

3.44

Answer: Originally, in the Tripiṭaka [teaching], principle is uniquely one truth, while contemplation has four truths. Principle is revealed through contemplation, which is why it says, "the true illumination of the patient cognition of suffering." When principle is revealed, contemplation is forgotten, which is why it says, "cessation is not the true truth." Why so? Because it relies on the ultimate truth of cessation into non-existence and the conventional truth of departing from illusion. Although knowing suffering, abandoning the accumulation of karma, cultivating the cause, and realizing the fruit are all active practices of arising and ceasing, they are not the empty and still substance of principle. In examining the dharmatā thoroughly, what delusion or awakening could there be? Thus the Great Master said: "In the Tripiṭaka [teaching], the dharmatā is naturally so from heaven; accumulation cannot defile it, suffering cannot afflict it, the path cannot penetrate it, and cessation cannot purify it." However, only through the patient cognition of suffering is True Suchness illuminated, and only where form is analyzed to the end is emptiness seen. Although that which can analyze and that which is analyzed are both not emptiness, the perception of emptiness arises on account of the analysis of form. Hence we know that the true illumination of the patient cognition of suffering and the statement that cessation is not the true truth do not contradict each other in meaning. Furthermore, illumination above necessarily entails manifestation below: if conventional truth is true, then ultimate truth is true. How could there be a difference between before and after?