萬善同歸集 3.22

3.22

答：「以真心不守自性，隨緣成諸有；雖似有即空，乃體虛成事。猶如樹影雖虛，而有陰覆之義；還同昏夢不實，亦生憂喜之情。雖無作者之能為，不失因緣之果報。故《淨名經》云：『無我、無造、無受者，善惡之業亦不亡。』又教所明空，以不可得故，無實性故；不是斷滅之無，何起龜毛兔角之心，作蛇足鹽香之見？」

Answer: 'Because the true mind does not maintain its own nature, it accords with conditions to become the manifold existences; although resembling existence, it is immediately empty, yet its empty substance establishes phenomena. It is just as the shadow of a tree, though empty, has the function of providing shade and cover; it is also like a confused dream, which is not real yet gives rise to emotions of sorrow and joy. Although there is no ability of an agent, the karmic retributions of cause and effect are not lost. Therefore the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa Sūtra says: "There is no self, no maker, and no receiver, yet the karma of good and evil does not perish." Furthermore, the emptiness explained in the teachings is because things are unobtainable and lack true nature; it is not the nonexistence of nihilistic annihilation. Why give rise to the notion of a turtle's fur or a rabbit's horns, or formulate views of snake legs or salt fragrance?'