大乘起信論別記 1.15

1.15

As for "characteristic and function": this contains two meanings. First, because it can show the characteristics of the immeasurable nature qualities in the tathāgatagarbha, it is called characteristic, and because it also shows the inconceivable karmic functions of the tathāgatagarbha, it is called function; this is the meaning of greatness of characteristics and greatness of function. Second, the defiled characteristics produced by tathatā are called characteristics, and the pure functions arisen from tathatā are called functions. As the text below says: "The pure dharma of tathatā is truly without defilement, but only because it is perfumed by avidyā does it have defiled characteristics." The defiled dharma of avidyā originally lacks pure functions, "yet only because it is perfumed by tathatā does it have pure functions."