景德傳燈錄 10.24

10.24

A venerable master who lectured on the Avataṃsaka asked, "Is empty space definitely existent, or is it definitely non-existent?"
The Master said, "To say it is existent is acceptable; to say it is non-existent is also acceptable. When empty space is existent, it is only conventionally existent; when empty space is non-existent, it is only conventionally non-existent."
[The lecturer] said, "What scriptural passage is there for what the Venerable says?"
The Master said, "Venerable Sir, have you not heard the Śūraṅgama Sūtra say: 'The empty space of the ten directions is produced within your mind, like a piece of cloud dotting the great expanse of clear sky'? Is this not that when empty space arises, only a conventional name arises? It also says: 'If just one of you brings forth the real and returns to the source, the empty space of the ten directions all completely dissolves.' Is this not that when empty space ceases, only a conventional name ceases? Therefore this old monk says: existence is conventional existence, and non-existence is conventional non-existence."
He also asked, "The sūtra says: 'Like an image of pure gold appearing inside clear lapis lazuli'—what does this mean?"
The Master said, "Take the clear lapis lazuli as the substance of the Dharma realm, and take the image of pure gold as the substance of undefiled wisdom. Substance can generate wisdom, and wisdom can penetrate substance; therefore it says, 'Like an image of pure gold appearing inside clear lapis lazuli.'"
[A monk] asked, "What is the sphere of action of the highest person?"
The Master said, "Like a dead person's eyes."
[The monk] said, "How is it when the highest persons meet each other?"
The Master said, "Like a dead person's hands."
[A monk] asked, "Why could Sudhana not traverse all the worlds within Samantabhadra's body throughout immeasurable kalpas?"
The Master said, "Have you been able to traverse them all since immeasurable kalpas ago?"
[The monk] said, "What is Samantabhadra's body?"
The Master said, "Seeking Chang'an inside the Hanyuan Hall."
[A monk] asked, "What is the student's mind?"
The Master said, "The entire world of the ten directions is your mind."
[The monk] said, "If so, then the student has no place to establish his body."
The Master said, "It is the place to establish your body."
[The monk] said, "What is the place to establish one's body?"
The Master said, "The water of the great ocean is deep and deep again."
[The monk] said, "The student does not understand."
The Master said, "Fishes and dragons plunge in and out, rising and sinking at will."
[A monk] asked, "When someone asks, the Venerable answers according to causes and conditions. What if no one asks at all?"
The Master said, "When tired, sleep; when vigorous, get up."
[The monk] said, "Where should the student understand this?"
The Master said, "In summer, stark naked; in the winter cold, one must have a quilt."
[A monk] asked, "Where did the deceased monk go?"
The Master gave a verse: