釋摩訶衍論 1.52

1.52

The commentary says: In this passage there are two gates. What are the two? The first is the gate of what can enter; the second is the gate of what is entered. As for 'the gate of what can enter,' it is because it skillfully gains entry into the principle to be explained. As for 'the gate of what is entered,' it is because it skillfully serves as the support for that teaching. 'There is a teaching' generally indicates the sixteen dharmas of the gate of what can enter. 'Can awaken the root of faith' generally indicates the characteristics of the operations of the dharmas of the gate. 'Mahāyāna' generally indicates the substance of the sixteen dharmas entered, along with the non-dual substance of the Mahāyāna. Faith is the mind of decisive advancement, and the root is the practice that produces and grows; if one seeks to enter the principle, nothing surpasses these two, hence it is said 'the root of faith.' Furthermore, 'faith' refers to the ten faiths, and 'root' refers to [the stages] from the stage of first arousing the mind up to the stage of the Cloud of Dharma (dharmameghā-bhūmi). Why is this? Because initial faith lacks a root and advances or regresses according to conditions, like the bandhuka-ima flower; whereas later faith becomes increasingly superior, firm and immovable, like the kankuva-amile tree. How many meanings does the root of faith have, and what are their respective characteristics? The verse says: