Commentary on the Sutra of the Father and Son Compendium (Part 58)

The Eye Faculty's Intrinsic Purity

Original Text: Why is this so? Through the purity of the earth element, the eye faculty is produced. Within this, not the slightest dharma can be obtained. Likewise, even up to the purity of the wind element, the eye faculty is produced. Within this, not the slightest dharma can be obtained. Why is this? Because there is no controller. Because there is no creation. Just as nirvana, intrinsically pure.

Explanation: Why is the eye faculty pure when the four great elements are pure? It is because through the purity of the earth element, the eye faculty can depend upon it to arise. Although the eye faculty arises, it is fundamentally unobtainable. Likewise, through the purity of the water element, the eye faculty can depend upon it to arise, yet it is fundamentally unobtainable; through the purity of the fire element, the eye faculty can depend upon it to arise, yet it is fundamentally unobtainable; through the purity of the wind element, the eye faculty depends upon it to arise, yet it is fundamentally unobtainable. Why is the eye faculty fundamentally unobtainable? Because the arising of the eye faculty has no controller and involves no creation whatsoever, just like the unborn, undying nirvana mind, whose intrinsic nature is pure.