#zhanran

Chan-jan [i.e. Zhanran, the sixth patriarch of the T’ien-t’ai school] says, “In (empty) space there is no light or dark, for light and dark are dependent on form (ripa) to obstruct each other. (In the same way), there is in the ‘space’ of the Dharma-nature fundamentally neither good nor evil. It is only in the passions of the ordinary person that good and evil obstruct each other … for they are the same in both substance and essence. One who comes to such an understanding is assuredly manifesting enlightenment. Hence he can bring (himself) to practice calming-and-contemplation (even) amid evil. Having realized that there is no (ultimate) evil in evil, he has seen its substance and its essence. Thus he knows that ultimately (‘in substance and in essence’) neither good nor evil exists at all.”

Who, then, is 'animate' and who 'inanimate'? Within the assembly of the Lotus, all are present without division. In the case of grass, trees and the soil...whether they merely lift their feet or energetically traverse the long path, they will all reach Nirvana.