Chu Fei-chi Fei-pen Hsien-pen (Abiding in neither the Traces nor the
Origin and revealing the Origin) is the function related to the Subtlety of the Original Response. This is spoken of by Chih-i in terms of hidden convergence of the principle that is beyond words. In this sense, the Buddha abides in neither the Traces nor the Origin, and yet manifests both in order to respond to living beings. In other words, the Traces have been displayed in the past, though the past is not the Traces; presently, the Origin is manifested in the Lotus Sūtra, though the present is not the Origin. (Vol. 2, Page 447-448)