成唯識論掌中樞要 1.73

1.73

Treatise: If there is consciousness only, why do worldly people and the sacred teachings say that there are a self and dharmas? Following what is said in the Yogācāra-vyākhyā, this generally asks about the essential tenet clarified in this treatise. The questioner had previously heard all the sūtras teaching that "all is mind only," but had not yet understood its meaning, and therefore raised this question. Or, the author of the treatise had previously received an overall request: with the essential tenets of the treatise entirely in his mind, wishing to distinguish and explain them for students, he himself hypothetically raised the question to serve as the cause for initiating the exposition; therefore he raised this question. Were it not so, without an initial brief statement, there would be no reason for an abrupt question. Furthermore, those who raise questions are briefly of five kinds: 1. questioning because of not understanding; 2. questioning because of doubt; 3. questioning in order to test; 4. questioning out of contempt; 5. questioning out of a desire to benefit and bring joy to sentient beings. The present case is the fifth: precisely in order to benefit and bring joy to all sentient beings, he composed this treatise. Because he had already realized [the truth], it is not the first two; because he questioned himself, it is not the next two; therefore relying on the fifth, he opened the beginning of the inquiry.