Principle Complete, Phenomena Gradual

The entire paper distills into four characters: 理圓事漸 — principle is complete; phenomena are gradual.

In principle, initial bodhicitta does determine buddhahood. Three doctrinal paths converge: Huayan's "aspiration = awakening," empowerment theory's "Dharmakāya pervades the realm," and Yogācāra's "innate undefiled seeds."

In practice, initial aspiration is precious yet fragile. The novice parable shows regression is possible. The niyata classification shows not all aspirations are immediately irreversible.

And "does future buddhahood retroactively empower?" is dissolved: dharmatā never left. You can't receive because afflictions blocked the opening.

Principle and phenomena are non-dual but must not be conflated. In principle, opening is connecting. In practice, after the opening, there's a long process of denoising.

Principle is already whole. Phenomena take time. You already have everything. You just need to remove what's in the way.