廣弘明集 21.17

21.17

Tanzong of Qixuan Temple inquired: "Do sages see conventional truth, or do they not see conventional truth?"
The imperial decree answered: "Sages know that ordinary people see the existence of conventional truth. If speaking of the sages themselves, they no longer see this."
[Tanzong] also inquired: "Since sages do not see conventional truth, how do they teach and transform sentient beings by means of conventional truth?"
The imperial decree answered: "Sages are without delusion and of themselves do not see conventional truth. This does not prevent sages from knowing what ordinary beings see. Therefore, bending to follow the sentiments of beings, they say there are two truths."
[Tanzong] also inquired: "Sages know ordinary beings see conventional truth: are these ordinary beings identical to it or not?"
The imperial decree answered: "These ordinary beings are themselves conventional truth; sages do not see these ordinary beings either."
[Tanzong] also inquired: "Since the sage does not see ordinary beings, how does he know that ordinary beings see conventional truth?"
The imperial decree answered: "Although the sage himself is without ordinary beings, he is also able to know that there are ordinary beings who of themselves deem it to be existent. Therefore, bending to approach their sentiments, he speaks of conventional truth for them."