金光明經文句記 2.222

2.222

First, explaining according to the name. Faith extends across both true and semblance; since the text says "characteristics of faith" (xinxing), the faith is not yet true, because this semblance of faith is the preliminary characteristic of true realization. The three virtuous ranks of the separate teaching are ranks of semblance of faith; only from the first bhūmi upward does one attain true faith. In the perfect teaching, upon ascending to the abodes one immediately attains true faith, while the ten faiths are called semblance of faith. As for "iron wheel," the Benye yingluo jing uses six kinds of wheels to illustrate the six causal ranks: iron wheel for the ten faiths, copper wheel for the ten abodes, silver wheel for the ten practices, gold wheel for the ten dedications, lapis lazuli wheel for the ten grounds, and maṇi wheel for equal awakening. By severing [the afflictions of] view and thought through faith, one attains this iron wheel.