宗鏡錄 76.3

76.3

Answer: In the supreme truth, there is not even birth and death; how could there be a beginning and an end? In accordance with conventional truth, following the views of sentient beings, birth and death are spoken of falsely. As an ancient worthy said: "Truth and delusion follow each other; it is difficult to fathom their beginning and end." / Explaining this: if one says that delusion comes first and truth comes later, then truth would have a beginning. If one says that truth comes first and delusion comes later, from what would delusion arise? If delusion arises based on truth, then truth would also not be truth. If the substance of delusion is itself truth, then delusion is also beginningless. To refute a primary origin, the word 'beginningless' is posited. Since a beginning does not exist, from where could an end be established? With neither end nor beginning, how could there be a middle? / Therefore the *Mūlamadhyamakakārikā* says: / That which is spoken by the Great Sage: / An ultimate limit cannot be found; / Birth and death have no beginning, / Nor do they have an end. / If there is neither beginning nor end, / How could there be a middle? / Therefore herein, / Sequence and simultaneity are also non-existent. / Truth and delusion are both eliminated; only then are truth and delusion spoken of. When truth and delusion interpenetrate, how can beginning and end be fixed?