大乘入道次第開決 1.7

1.7

實相一味妙甘露等者。此之二句顯法寶也。上句顯其真如理法。下句顯其所流教法。而言一味甘露等者。依涅槃經而作此說。故彼經云。雪山之中有上妙藥。其名甘露。人若服者得壽無量。本唯一味。隨其流處生種種味。而其真味停留在山。一味甘露喻實相如。隨流諸味喻諸教法。隨諸眾生種種根性。以彼真如種種門說。而本真如竟無改易。

'The true mark has a single flavor, the wondrous amṛta', and so forth: these two lines display the Dharma Jewel. The upper line displays its principle-Dharma of tathatā. The lower line displays the teaching-Dharma that flows from it. As for saying 'single flavor, amṛta', and so forth, this statement is made relying on the Nirvāṇa-sūtra. Thus that sūtra says: 'In the Snowy Mountains there is a supreme, wondrous medicine named amṛta. If a person consumes it, they attain immeasurable lifespan. Originally it has only a single flavor, but following the places to which it flows, various flavors arise; yet its true flavor remains in the mountains.' The single flavor of amṛta illustrates the tathatā of the true mark. The various flavors that flow illustrate the various teachings. In accordance with the various capacities and dispositions of sentient beings, that tathatā is explained through various gates, yet the original tathatā undergoes no change whatsoever.