大乘起信論義疏 1.8

1.8

Within the first section, there are three parts: first, a general explanation of the differences in paying homage at the beginning of various treatises; second, the intent of taking refuge and paying homage at the beginning of a treatise; third, interpreting according to the text. As for the differences in paying homage at the beginning of a treatise: some fully pay homage to the Three Jewels, as in the Da zhidu lun, this present treatise, and so forth; some revere only the Buddha and the Dharma, as in the Daśabhūmivyākhyāna and so forth; some revere only the Buddha, as in the Bodhisattvabhūmi and so forth. All of these have their reasons. The reason for fully paying homage is that they are the complete field of merit. Why revere only the person and the Dharma? Because one relies on the Dharma to accomplish the person, one must pay homage to the Buddha; the Dharma is the principle explained, so one must pay homage to the Dharma. Why revere only the Buddha? Because the Buddha is the master of the teaching, one must pay homage to the Buddha; the others are not the master of the teaching, so paying homage [to them] is set aside.