大乘起信論義記 1.16

1.16

Second, regarding distinguishing the tenet-systems in accordance with the teachings, all sūtras and treatises currently circulating in the east, extending across the Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna, comprise four tenet-paths: 1. the tenet-system of clinging to dharmas in accordance with marks, which refers to the various Hīnayāna schools; 2. the tenet-system of true emptiness and signlessness, which refers to what is taught in sūtras such as the *Prajñāpāramitā* and treatises such as the *Madhyamaka*; 3. the tenet-system of consciousness-only and dharmalakṣaṇa, which refers to what is taught in sūtras such as the *Saṃdhinirmocana* and treatises such as the *Yogācārabhūmi*; 4. the tenet-system of the pratītyasamutpāda of the tathāgatagarbha, which refers to what is taught in sūtras such as the *Laṅkāvatāra* and the *Ghanavyūha*, and treatises such as the *Awakening of Faith* and the *Ratnagotravibhāga*. Among these four: the first speaks by clinging to marks in accordance with empirical facts; the second speaks by integrating empirical facts to reveal principle; the third speaks of differences by generating empirical facts relying on principle; the fourth speaks of the interfusion and non-obstruction of principle and empirical facts. Because in this tenet-system it is accepted that the tathāgatagarbha accords with conditions to become the ālayavijñāna, this is principle penetrating into empirical facts; it is also accepted that other-dependent pratītyasamutpāda is without nature and identical to tathatā, this is empirical facts penetrating into principle. Furthermore, among these four tenet-systems: the first was established by the various Hīnayāna masters; the second was established by Nāgārjuna and Āryadeva; the third was established by Asaṅga and Vasubandhu; the fourth was established by Aśvaghoṣa and Sāramati. However, these four tenet-systems also have no distinctions of temporal sequence, and there are overlapping passages in the various sūtras and treatises, which should be understood accordingly. Now, the tenet meaning of this treatise corresponds to the fourth approach.