仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經疏 1.41

1.41

Second, regarding generating faith, the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa states: "Stating the time, place, and persons causes faith to arise." It also states: "'Thus have I heard' generates faith. 'Believing, accepting, and putting into practice' generates wisdom. Faith is that which can enter; wisdom is that which can cross over." Regardless of whether a text is voluminous or concise, without faith it cannot be transmitted. Because faith is generated, what is spoken accords with principle; and because it accords with principle, the path of teacher and disciple is accomplished, for one accords with and follows all the dharmas spoken. What is faith? Faith is the very first among the eleven wholesome mental factors. Its nature is making the mind and mental factors clear and serene, just as a water-clearing jewel can clarify turbid water; it counters the turbid mind of disbelief, and taking delight in the wholesome is its function—it is the root of all practices. Why is faith first generated at the head of a sūtra? Among the five faculties, the faculty of faith is listed first, because having the faculty of faith enables the generation of myriad wholesome [qualities]. Among the five powers, the power of faith is presented first, because having the power of faith prevents Māra from shaking one. Hence the Avataṃsaka Sūtra states: "Faith is the source of the path and the mother of merits." Furthermore, when proceeding toward the three vehicles, there is the desire for wholesome dharmas; because there is faith, wholesome aspiration arises, for faith is the basis of desire and is generated first. Moreover, in this sūtra, suppressing kṣānti at the very beginning sets forth the ten stages of faith, as they are the root of the noble womb. Furthermore, the Prakaraṇāryavācā Śāstra explains the seven noble riches, namely faith, morality, learning, relinquishment, wisdom, shame, and remorse; the first among the seven noble riches is the wealth of faith. Furthermore, the Nyāyānusāra states: "Clarity and serenity are of four kinds, namely regarding the Buddha, Dharma, Saṅgha, and morality. Because one has faith in the Three Jewels, one can transcend the evil destinies; because one has faith in morality, one is separated from the causes of poverty and lowliness; like a diamond, these four are indestructible." Moreover, the Abhidharmakośa states: "To extract sentient beings from suffering and bring them out of the mud of saṃsāra, the preface causes faith to arise and serves as the hand of sentient beings, while the subsequent presentation of the main body serves as the hand of the Buddha's teaching; the two hands clasp each other so that one emerges from the mire." Furthermore, the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa states: "Just as a person who has hands goes to a jewel mountain and takes whatever they wish, whereas if they have no hands, they return empty-handed with nothing obtained; so one who has faith enters the Buddha's jewel mountain and attains the various fruits of the path, while if one lacks faith, even if one understands the words and meanings, one obtains nothing in vain." Therefore, at the beginning of a sūtra, pure faith is caused to arise.