大乘起信論義記 1.52

1.52

Section 2: Expressing the intent of veneration. The beginning of other treatises mostly expresses two intents, namely benefiting self and others, the long endurance of the Dharma, and so forth. Now, this text briefly expresses three intents: 1. to benefit sentient beings; 2. to prevent the lineage of the Buddha from being severed; 3. for the long endurance of the Dharma. This very long endurance of the teaching and Dharma is also the non-severance of the lineage of the Buddha. Just as in Asanga's commentary on the Diamond Prajñā, because of properly entrusting the perfection of wisdom to circulate in the world, the lineage of the Buddha is not severed. In the four lines of the text, there are three parts: 1. raising the persons for whose sake it is made; 2. clarifying the benefit achieved; 3. the intent behind achieving the benefit.