宗鏡錄 31.2.4

31.2.4

…is an analogy for true liberation. True liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'profound.' Why is this? Because it cannot be entered by śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas. That which cannot be entered is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, 'profound' means revered by all buddhas and bodhisattvas. Just as when a filial son makes offerings to his parents, the merit is profound; profound merit is an analogy for true liberation. True liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'invisible.' For example, just as a person cannot see the crown of his own head, liberation is also like this: it cannot be seen by śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas. That which cannot be seen is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'houseless.' Just as empty space has no house, liberation is also like this. The word 'house' is an analogy for the twenty-five states of existence. Having no house is an analogy for true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'unseizable.' Just as an āmalaka fruit can be grasped and held by a person, liberation is not like that; it cannot be grasped or held. What cannot be grasped or held is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'ungraspable.' For example, just as an illusory object cannot be held fast, liberation is also like this; it cannot be held fast. What cannot be held fast is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation has no body. For example, just as someone whose body produces sores, leprosy, carbuncles, ulcers, madness, and emaciation, in true liberation there are no such illnesses. Having no such illnesses is an analogy for true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'one taste.' Just as milk is of one taste, liberation is also like this: it has only one taste. Such a single taste is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'pure.' Just as water without mud is clear, still, and pure, liberation is also like this: clear, still, and pure. What is clear, still, and pure is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'one taste.' Just as rain falling from the sky is of one taste and pure, being of one taste and pure is an analogy for true liberation. True liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'elimination.' For example, just as the full moon is free from all obscuring clouds, liberation is also like this: free from all obscuring clouds. Being free from all obscuring clouds is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'tranquil.' For example, just as when a person is cured of a fever, his body attains tranquility, liberation is also like this: the body attains tranquility. When the body attains tranquility, that is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is equality. For example, just as wildcats, venomous snakes, and weasels all have the intention to kill, liberation is not like that: it has no intention to kill. Having no intention to kill is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, 'equality' is like parents having an equal mind toward their children; liberation is also like this: its mind is equal. An equal mind is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation has no other place. For example, just as someone who resides only in a superior, wonderful, and pure house and in no other place, liberation is also like this: it has no other place. Having no other place is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'contentment.' For example, just as a hungry person who encounters sweet delicacies eats without satiety, liberation is not like that; it is like having eaten milk gruel and needing nothing further. Needing nothing further is an analogy for true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'severance.' Just as a person who is bound severs the bonds and attains release, liberation is also like this: it severs all bonds of doubt. Such severance of doubt is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'reaching the other shore.' For example, just as the great ocean has this shore and the other shore, liberation is not like that: although it has no 'this shore,' it has the other shore. Having the other shore is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'silence.' For example, just as the great ocean when its waters surge has many sounds, liberation is not like that. Such liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'delicious.' For example, just as among medicines, when harītakī is mixed in, its taste is bitter, liberation is not like that; its taste is like amṛta. A taste like amṛta is an analogy for true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation eliminates all kleśas. For example, just as a good physician blends various medicines and skillfully cures many illnesses, liberation is also like this: it can eliminate kleśas. Eliminating kleśas is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'unconfined.' For example, just as a small house cannot accommodate many people, liberation is not like that: it accommodates much. Accommodating much is true liberation, and true liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called 'extinguishing all desires' and is unmixed with sexual desire. For example, just as women have many desires and lusts, liberation is not like that. Such liberation is precisely the Tathāgata. The Tathāgata is like this: free from the fetters of desire, anger, delusion, arrogance, and the like. Furthermore, liberation is called 'free from craving.' Craving is of two kinds: the first is pretalike craving, and the second is Dharma-craving. True liberation is free from pretalike craving, and because it has pity for sentient beings, it possesses Dharma-craving. Such Dharma-craving is true liberation, and true liberation...