釋摩訶衍論 4.91

4.91

Having explained the section of citing persons to display supreme excellence, next is explained the section of displaying defiling conditions to resolve doubts. Here there are two meanings. What are the two? First is the section of the permanence of impermanence; second is the section of the impermanence of permanence. As for the section of the permanence of impermanence: the mind of original awakening in its own characteristic is decisively permanently abiding from beginninglessness, its essence changeless, yet there is no time when it is not impermanent and no place where it does not change; as the basic text says: 'Why is this? This mind from the beginning is intrinsically pure in its nature, yet avidyā exists; defiled by avidyā, it has its defiled mind.' As for the section of the impermanence of permanence: this mind of original awakening from beginninglessness is constantly and eternally impermanent, constantly mutating, yet there is no time when it is not permanently abiding and no place where it is not changeless; as the basic text says: 'Although there is a defiled mind, it is eternally changeless.' 'Therefore this meaning can only be known by a Buddha' sums up its supreme excellence. From this point downward, it further uses two phrases to explain the preceding two phrases, the text of which is evident.