法苑珠林 12.26

12.26

The Ultimate Truth is profound and congealed; the nature of phenomena is empty and quiescent. Yet without words, it is difficult to open up beings and guide the worldly. Therefore, the non-dual silent instruction accords with the path of the emptiness of meaning, while the resonance of the single voice corresponds to the realm of the manifold existent. Since the appearance in the world of our teacher, the Capable Benevolent One (Śākyamuni), the Deer Park voiced his initial words, and the Golden River (Hiraṇyavatī) concluded his final teachings. Sūtras entice those of beginner learning; Vaipulya scriptures encourage the great-minded. The wondrous wheel distinguishes the twelve divisions; the aggregate of dharmas summarizes the eighty thousand gates. When the Sugata concealed his traces, the Arhats compiled the canon: first the four Āgamas were gathered into the initial sūtras, and then the five divisions set forth the vinaya. Herein lies the great treasure; the deepest intention toward sentient beings is preserved to extract them from suffering. Therefore, the golden words must not be neglected or distorted.