廬山蓮宗寶鑑 3.26

3.26

The master once composed a preface to the Pure Land Collection for Dharma Master Cihui Wen, which said in brief: 'From past to present, those who study Buddhism are mostly confused about principle and phenomena. They say that in principle not a speck of dust is established, while speaking of phenomena all phenomena are arrayed in profusion. Congealing the mind to dwell in quiescence is principle, while moving into activity and undertaking practice is phenomena. They then cite the ancient saying: "The ground of ultimate reality does not admit a single speck of dust; within the gate of Buddha-activities not a single dharma is abandoned." This is indeed setting up principle and phenomena in opposition, with emptiness and existence running alongside each other. I once changed these words, saying: "The ground of ultimate reality does not lack a single speck of dust; within the gate of Buddha-activities not a single dharma remains." Why so? Because ultimate reality is endowed with all dharmas—how could it lack a single speck of dust? Because the gate of Buddha-activities is free from all marks—how could a single dharma remain? Only in this way can one see that principle and phenomena are one suchness, and emptiness and existence are non-dual.'