Commentary on the Sūtra of the Collection of the Father and Son (Pitāputrasamāgamanasūtra) (198)

The Three Gates of Liberation

Original text: 大王。诸根如幻。境界如梦。一切诸法。自性空寂。此名空解脱门。空无空相。名无相解脱门。若无相者。则无希求。名无愿解脱门。若能了知。三解脱门。与空共行。菩提先道。广大如法界。究竟如虚空。于此譬喻。当如是知。

   Explanation: The Buddha said: Great King, the six faculties are all illusory transformations, and all states are like a dream; the self-nature of all dharmas is entirely empty and tranquil—this is called the gate of emptiness liberation. The gate of emptiness liberation also has no mark of emptiness; this is called the gate of signlessness liberation. If all dharmas are without signs, then we should no longer have any wishes or aspirations—this is called the gate of wishlessness liberation. If we can ultimately understand these three gates of liberation, all practicing in accord with emptiness, all being empty, then the great bodhi path of nirvāṇa is as vast as the tathāgatagarbha dharmadhātu, and its ultimate nature is like empty space. Regarding such a simile, we should understand it in this way.