大乘起信論別記 1.67

1.67

From "Yet in reality there is no..." onward, it directly clarifies non-difference. When it says, "All sentient beings are not called enlightened," all sentient beings prior to the diamond-like [stage] sleep long in avidyā and have never been separated from it; relying on this meaning, they cannot be called enlightened, because only by permanently leaving sleep is one called enlightened. However, if contrasted with the differences among the four characteristics, there is the meaning of gradual awakening, as explained previously; now, analyzing with respect to the eye of avidyā having no differentiated characteristics, all are non-enlightened. As the Renwang jing says: "Beginning from the patience of subduing up to the stage of equal enlightenment, illuminating the supreme truth is not called seeing. That which is called seeing belongs only to the Buddha, the Tathāgata."