大乘起信論義記 1.36

1.36

Tenth, as for explaining following the text, this treatise has three parts: namely, preface, main body, and propagation. There are three approaches to the explanation: first, regarding the treatise-author; second, regarding the treatise's teaching; third, regarding the benefit to sentient beings. In the first among them, the three [parts] are: the opening three verses of the treatise, in which taking refuge, paying homage, and requesting aid constitute that upon which the treatise-author's practice is based. Second, from "The treatise says" onward, expounding for the sake of beings fully constitutes the treatise-author's practice of the gift of Dharma. Third, the final verse concluding with pariṇāmanā is the great vow that arises in accordance with practice. Therefore, the three parts only complete the treatise-author's practice and vows of making the sun of the Buddha radiate brightly and bestowing the Dharma upon the multitudes of beings. Second, regarding the three parts of the teaching: the initial "Section on Causes and Conditions" is the cause from which the teaching arises, serving as the preface. Second, from the "Section on Establishing the Meaning" onward, directly revealing what is explained constitutes the main body. Third, the "Section on Exhorting Practice and Benefits", praising the supreme capability of the teaching, serves as the propagation. By means of these three parts, the Dharma is made free from loss, enduring long without falling away. Third, regarding the three parts of benefiting sentient beings: first, the Section on Causes and Conditions presents the Dharma for receptive capacities. Second, from the Section on Establishing the Meaning onward, it directly confers understanding and practice. Third, the Section on Exhorting Practice presents the benefits to encourage cultivation, preventing the lineage of the Buddhas from being severed. Therefore, through these three parts, sentient beings' practice of entering the Dharma is brought to completion. Among the above three approaches, the first one distinguishes [the sections] separately, while the latter two explain them in combination; therefore, all five sections belong to the main body, because they are all directly produced by the treatise-author. Now, merely relying on the first approach, we first explain the three verses within the preface to clarify the section on taking refuge, paying homage, and expressing the intention [for writing].