大乘起信論別記 1.64

1.64

From "Being far removed..." onward, it clarifies the limit of awakening. The stirring of thoughts of the karmic characteristic is the finest among thoughts, called subtle thoughts. These characteristics are completely exhausted, forever leaving no remainder; hence it says "being far removed." The time of being far removed is precisely the Buddha-ground. In the preceding stages, they had not yet awakened to the source of the mind, the characteristic of arising was not yet exhausted, and the mind was still impermanent; now arriving at this stage, avidyā is permanently extinguished, they return to the source of the mind, and there is no further stirring; hence it says "attaining the perception of the mind-nature." The mind is immediately permanent and abiding, with nothing further to advance toward, called ultimate enlightenment. It is also explained that before returning to the source of the mind, dream-thoughts are not yet exhausted, and one desires to extinguish this stirring, hoping to reach that tranquility; now, having perceived the mind-nature, dream-thoughts are completely exhausted, and one realizes that one's own mind fundamentally has no transmigration and now has no extinction, being always self-identical as the One Mind, like staying on a single bed; hence it says "attaining the perception of the mind-nature, the mind is immediately permanent and abiding." Thus actualized enlightenment is equal to and non-different from innate enlightenment; this is called "ultimate enlightenment." This clarifies the limit of awakening.