如

tathā [lang id =1028]多陀; [lang id =1028]但他 (or [lang id =1028]怛他), so, thus, in such manner, like, as. It is used in the sense of the absolute, the [lang id =1028]空 (sa) śūnya, which is [lang id =1028]諸佛之實相 the reality of all Buddhas; hence [lang id =1028]如 (zh) ru is [lang id =1028]賃相 the undifferentiated whole of things, the ultimate reality; it is [lang id =1028]諸法之性 the nature of all things, hence it connotes [lang id =1028]法性 (zh) faxing which is [lang id =1028]真實之際極 the ultimate of reality, or the absolute, and therefore connotes [lang id =1028]實際 ultimate reality. The ultimate nature of all things being [lang id =1028]如 (zh) ru, the one undivided same, it also connotes [lang id =1028]理 (zh) li, the principle or theory behind all things, and this [lang id =1028]理 (zh) li universal law, being the [lang id =1028]真實 truth or ultimate reality; [lang id =1028]如 (zh) ru is termed [lang id =1028]真如 (sa) bhūtatathatā, the real so, or suchness, or reality, the ultimate or the all, i. e. the [lang id =1028]一如 (zh) yiru. In regard to [lang id =1028]如 ju as [lang id =1028]理 (zh) li the Prajñā-pāramitā puṇḍarīka makes it the [lang id =1028]中 (zh) zhong, neither matter nor nothingness. It is also used in the ordinary sense of so, like, as (cf (sa) yathā).

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不變易的意思。 諸法的法性， 極難用語言文字來形容， 故借如字來作代表。 法性即實相， 實相即如， 因其不二、 不異、 不變、 不動， 萬法的真面目， 都同一相， 故名為如。