大乘起信論別記 1.167

1.167

In the second part, specifically explaining [perfuming], it first explains the arising of defilement, brief at first and then broad. As for "Because of perfuming, there is the false mind": this is the karmic consciousness. Because this false mind perfumes avidyā, it causes that avidyā not to comprehend signlessness, and therefore causes the false mind to possess the capacity to see and manifest the characteristics of various objects. Thus it says: "non-enlightened thought arises and manifests false objects." 'Non-enlightened thought arises' is the evolving characteristic; 'false objects' is the manifesting characteristic. Because these objects perfume the preceding false mind, they give rise to the waves of the seven consciousnesses, clinging to the preceding objects; therefore it says that it immediately perfumes the false mind, causing it to cling in thought, and so forth. The brief explanation is complete; below is the broad explanation.