金剛般若經旨贊 2.260

2.260

The prose of that treatise extensively explains the intention of the verse. Fearing it would be overly voluminous, I shall not recount it; those who take pleasure in it may set it forth. That is, by means of wonderful wisdom, one contemplates all conditioned [phenomena] as being like stars and so forth; therefore, regarding conditioned phenomena, one abides having attained untainted, profound sovereignty. Thus, the first half of the verse reveals this meaning, saying: "Among conditioned dharmas / one attains untainted sovereignty." However, within the sūtra's verse there are three sections: the first line presents the phenomena that are illustrated; the next two lines present the illustrative images; and the final line concludes by encouraging contemplation. The other recensions and treatises all have nine metaphors, whereas this recension has only six, yet adds the metaphor of a shadow, and the sequence also differs in order. It is not known what alternative intention [Kumāra]jīva had in translating this text; it is deeply puzzling, for adding to or subtracting from the Buddha's words is an extreme fault.