大乘起信論別記 1.20

1.20

Question: If these two gates each subsume principle and phenomena, why is it that in the gate of tathatā only the essence of the Mahāyāna is shown, while in the gate of arising and ceasing the essence, characteristics, and function are all universally shown? Answer: The meaning of subsuming and the meaning of showing are different. Why is this? The gate of tathatā obliterates characteristics to reveal principle; because obliterating characteristics does not eliminate them, it can subsume characteristics; because obliterating characteristics does not preserve them, it does not show characteristics. The gate of arising and ceasing gathers principle to form phenomena; because gathering principle does not destroy it, it can subsume principle; because gathering principle does not obliterate it, it also shows essence. Based on this meaning, they are tentatively said to be different. Discussing them universally, the two meanings are also equal; therefore, in the gate of tathatā phenomenal characteristics should also be shown, but they are not mentioned merely for brevity.