廣弘明集 21.23

21.23

Xiao Ying, fourth son of the Prince of Shixing, inquired: "Supreme-meaning truth: is its meaning supreme, and is its virtue also supreme or not?"
The imperial decree answered: "Its meaning is already supreme, and its virtue is also supreme."
[Xiao Ying] also inquired: "Simply saying 'supreme' already subsumes virtue and meaning; why must one additionally append the character 'meaning', leading to redundancy?"
The imperial decree answered: "Simply saying 'supreme', the meaning is still obscure; seeing 'meaning' in 'supreme', its excellence can be fully expressed."
[Xiao Ying] also inquired: "If appending the character 'meaning' allows its excellence to be fully expressed, why not append the character 'virtue' so that its excellence may be fully expressed?"
The imperial decree answered: "'Supreme' is virtue; how could it wait to be appended again? But appending the character 'meaning', then virtue and meaning are doubly excellent."
[Xiao Ying] also inquired: "Simply calling it 'supreme' is sufficient to see its excellence; exclusively appending the character 'meaning' seems somewhat limiting."
The imperial decree answered: "'Supreme' expresses virtue; furthermore appending the character 'meaning', both excellences are displayed together. How could it be limiting?"