宗鏡錄 31.2.5

31.2.5

is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is free from 'I' and 'mine'. Such liberation is the tathāgata; the tathāgata is Dharma. Furthermore, liberation is complete cessation, free from rāga for all existences. Such liberation is the tathāgata; the tathāgata is Dharma. Furthermore, liberation is rescue and protection, able to rescue all who are terrified. Such liberation is the tathāgata; the tathāgata is Dharma. Furthermore, liberation is a refuge. If one takes refuge in such liberation, one seeks no other refuge. It is like a person who relies upon a king and seeks no other reliance. Yet although one relies upon a king, there is instablity; one who relies upon liberation has no instability. Being without instability is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata; the tathāgata is Dharma. Furthermore, liberation is called a house. It is like a person traveling through a wilderness, where there are perils and difficulties; liberation is not like this, having no perils or difficulties. Being without perils or difficulties is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is fearlessness. Like the lion king, who does not give rise to terror toward the hundred beasts, liberation is also like this: toward the hordes of Māra it does not give rise to terror. Being without terror is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata. And liberation has no narrowness. It is like a narrow path, which cannot even accommodate two people walking abreast; liberation is not like this. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Moreover, it is not narrow: it is like a person who, fearing a tiger, falls into a well; liberation is not like this. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Moreover, it is not narrow: it is like one on the great ocean who abandons a damaged small boat and obtains a solid, sturdy boat, boarding it to cross the sea and reach a place of peace and security, his mind feeling joy. Liberation is also like this, the mind feeling joy. Obtaining joy is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation uproots all causes and conditions. It is like relying on milk to obtain curds, relying on curds to obtain butter, and relying on butter to obtain ghee; in true liberation, there is no such cause at all. Being without such causes is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation can subdue arrogance. It is like a great king acting arrogant toward a petty king; liberation is not like this. Such liberation is the tathāgata; the tathāgata is Dharma. Furthermore, liberation subdues all negligence. 'Negligence' refers to having much greed and desire; in true liberation, there is no such name. Being without such a name is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation can eliminate avidyā. It is like superior, fine butter having all impurities removed before it is called ghee; liberation is also like this, eliminating the dregs of avidyā and giving birth to true vidyā. Such true vidyā is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called tranquil, purely one without a second. It is like an elephant in an empty wilderness, solitary without a companion; liberation is also like this, solitary and without a second. Solitary and without a second is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called solid and real. It is like bamboo, reeds, rushes, and hemp, whose stalks and stems are hollow while their seeds are solid and real; with the exception of the Buddha, the Tathāgata, all other humans and devas are not solid and real. True liberation is far removed from all outflows of existence and the like. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called being able to awaken and comprehend, benefiting the self. True liberation is also like this. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called renouncing all existences. It is like a person who vomits after eating; liberation is also like this, renouncing all existences. Renouncing all existences is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called determinate. It is like the fragrance of the vārṣikī flower, which is not found in the saptaparṇa; liberation is also like this. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called the water element. It is like the water element, which is superior among the great elements, able to moisten all grasses, trees, and seeds; liberation is also like this, able to moisten all living beings. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called an entrance. Just as having a doorway opens a passage, and upon entering the place where the nature of gold is, gold can be obtained, liberation is also like this: like that doorway, those who cultivate selflessness are able to enter within. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called good. It is like a disciple who follows a master, skillfully honoring instructions and thereby being called good; liberation is also like this. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called a supramundane dharma, surpassing all dharmas most of all. It is like how among all flavors, butter and milk are supreme; liberation is also like this. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called the four immovables. It is like a threshold, which the wind cannot move; true liberation is also like this. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called being without billows and waves. It is like that great ocean whose waters billow and wave; liberation is not like this. Such liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is like a palace; liberation is also like this. One should know that liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation is called serviceable. It is like Jāmbūnada gold, which is fit for many uses, and no one can speak of defects in this gold; liberation is also like this, having no defects, which is true liberation; true liberation is the tathāgata. Furthermore, liberation casts off the conduct of an infant; it is like an adult.