宗鏡錄 95.28

95.28

The Buddhagotrasāstra asks: 'What meaning does this sūtra reveal?' Answer: 'In order to show that the original nature of all phenomena does not exist, it teaches the emptiness of phenomena; it does not depend on the extinction of phenomena for emptiness to be obtained thereafter. Therefore, regarding the emptiness of nature, one should not give rise to fear.' Explanation: Regarding 'all phenomena are merely skillful means for expounding emptiness': whatever is taught is all for the purpose of revealing emptiness. Therefore, emptiness is all phenomena, and phenomena are all emptiness. It is not that they exist first and become non-existent later—how could it turn into annihilationism? Nor is it that they are non-existent first and become existent later—it does not fall into impermanence. Therefore, the nature is originally constantly empty, and emptiness is without interruption; the substance responds to all existences, and existences naturally flourish. One who can enter this source rejoices greatly upon hearing of the emptiness of all phenomena. One who does not understand this meaning is greatly terrified upon hearing of the emptiness of all phenomena. Because they do not understand the emptiness of phenomena, which contradicts the objects of direct perception, they grasp it as external understanding; hearing the purport that it is only citta, they fear falling into the gate of the view of emptiness. Deluded about both mind and objects, they consequently give rise to terror.