大乘起信論義疏 2.17

2.17

問曰：若初真一，何故起染，原薄不同？答：無始無明等同品無有麁細，智識以後染著不同，心慮異故，續識以後起成深淺，故果報優劣、上下不等、利鈍差別。然此義者，非凡所能知。

Question: If the true is originally one, why is it that when defilement arises, its depth and shallowness differ? Answer: Beginningless ignorance is of equal grade, without coarse or subtle; from the wisdom-consciousness onward, defiled attachment differs because mental deliberations are distinct; from the continuing consciousness onward, arising and completion are deep or shallow; hence karmic retributions are superior or inferior, unequal in high and low, and differentiated as sharp or dull. However, this meaning is not something ordinary beings can know.