續集古今佛道論衡 1.20

1.20

The Emperor said, 'Dharma Master [Kāśyapa] Mātaṅga once preached the Dharma for me, saying: The Buddha has four kinds of dharma-body, namely the Dharma [body], the reward [body], the response [body], and the transformation [body]. First is the dharma-body: non-action, signless, without master and without school, vast and quiet, empty and non-existent, spontaneous and tranquil. Second is the reward-body: standing alone without companion, brightly shining without peer, illuminating worlds, appearing and disappearing at will. Third is the response-body: complete with all forms and colors, its words and actions without fixed origin, adapting to things in a thousand designs, spiritually responding in myriad transformations. Fourth is the transformation-body: opening and expounding the True Dharma, guiding through the Three Vehicles, benefiting living beings, transforming and awakening them according to their capacities. You venerable sirs must know that the Buddha has four kinds of dharma-body, appearing and disappearing at will, inconceivable. When functioning, all phenomena respond simultaneously; when resting, it withdraws into the profound and mysterious. This is the great mountain of wisdom, the vast sea of nirvāṇa. One must faithfully revere it to attain immeasurable merit.'