宗鏡錄 86.11

86.11

Answer: There are four meanings. First, this Middle Way exists. Why? Originally, the Middle Way is used to destroy one-sidedness; how could there be no Middle Way? Because there is the meaning of emptiness, all phenomena are able to be accomplished; if there were no meaning of emptiness, nothing would be accomplished. Emptiness is precisely the Middle Way. Second, this Middle Way does not exist. Why? In order to destroy the disease of one-sidedness, the Middle is therefore spoken of; once the disease of one-sidedness is gone, the medicine of the Middle must be dismissed. If there were a Middle Way, the Middle would still be a disease. Third, the Middle Way both exists and does not exist. Why? Because the ultimate principle provisionally exists, it is called 'also exists'; because it has no form and no characteristics, it is called 'also does not exist.' As the *Nirvāṇa-sūtra* says: 'Because interior and exterior unite, it is called the Middle Way.' Fourth, the Middle Way neither exists nor does not exist. Why? Since it is called the Middle Way, how could it be existent? Since it is called the Middle Way, how could it be non-existent? This is merely a preliminary statement. If we discuss it further, it is beyond the four propositions—the so-called 'path of words is cut off, and the place of mental activity ceases.'