大乘起信論義記 1.57

1.57

In the preceding part, "The treatise says" is the phrasing that distinguishes a treatise from a sūtra. "There is a dharma that can arouse..." indicates the benefit; that is, it demonstrates that the meaning being explained has an excellent function. "Therefore it should be explained" initiates the exposition, showing that it is essential for the teaching that expresses the meaning to be set forth. "There is a dharma" comprehensively raises the dharma and meaning, the dharma of the One Mind, the two gates, and the three greatnesses, which is the essence of the dharma being explained. "Can arouse faith in the Mahāyāna" distinguishes the function of the dharma: regarding the gate of tathatā, one has decisive faith in the principle; regarding the gate of arising and ceasing, one has faith that karmic function is not lost; regarding the greatness of meaning, one has faith that the Three Jewels are indestructible. Here, "faculty of faith" means that with faith fulfilled, one enters the abode, and becoming a faculty, does not retrogress. "Faculty" (indriya) has two meanings: 1. the meaning of being able to uphold, namely that one's own share is not lost; 2. the meaning of generating what follows, namely advancing to seek what is higher. Furthermore, juxtaposing faculty and faith forms four alternatives: 1. there is faith without the faculty, namely having faith by following the words of others; 2. it is a faculty but not faith, namely the other faculties of wisdom and so forth; 3. it is both faith and a faculty, namely what is distinguished here, where seeing the principle completes faith, and so forth; 4. it is neither faith nor a faculty, namely the remaining dharmas. Because the author of the treatise perceived this benefit, it was essential to initiate the exposition. Above in this treatise, it is the "awakening of faith in the Mahāyāna"; therefore it says "it should be explained"—this is the treatise. The title is established based on this.