All Buddhas of the subordinate state are like the images of the moon reflected upon many waters. Only the Buddha of the original state is like the real moon in the sky.

The original state of Buddha means the Original Enlightenment or hon gaku. The subordinate state of Buddha means the Enlightenment that has a Beginning or shi gaku. Shi gaku is understood as historical, hon gaku as absolute; the first is rather intellectual, connected with instruction and learning, the latter purely intuitive. However the original enlightenment presupposes the enlightenment that has a beginning. No original enlightenment is manifested unless the first enlightenment has been attained. The subordinate state is shown by the original one, and vice versa. Though they are different from each other, their virtue is one and the same.