廣弘明集 21.28

21.28

程鄉侯蕭祇諮曰。未審第一之名。是形待以不。令旨答曰。正是形待。又諮。第一無相有何形待。令旨答。既云第一。豈得非待。又諮。第一是待。既稱第一。世諦待於第一。何不名為第二。若俗諦是待而不稱第二。亦應真諦是待不名第一。令旨答。若稱第一是待。於義已足。無假說俗。第二方成相待。又諮。若世諦之名不稱第二。則第一之稱無所形待。令旨答。第一褒真。既云相待。世名是待。直置可知。

Xiao Zhi, Marquis of Chengxiang, inquired, saying: "I do not know: is the designation 'first' relative, or not?"
The Prince's decree replied, saying: "It is precisely relative."
He further inquired: "The ultimate is signless; to what is it relative?"
The decree replied: "Since it is called 'first', how could it not be relative?"
He further inquired: "'First' is relative. Since it is called 'first', the conventional truth is relative to the first—why is it not named 'second'? If the conventional truth is relative but not called 'second', then the ultimate truth, being relative, should likewise not be named 'first'."
The decree replied: "If calling it 'first' is relative, this is already sufficient in meaning; there is no need to speak of the conventional as 'second' for it to constitute relativity."
He further inquired: "If the designation of conventional truth is not called 'second', then the designation 'first' has nothing to which it is relative."
The decree replied: "'First' praises the true. Since it is called relative, the designation 'worldly' is relative; this may be known straightforwardly."