大乘起信論義記 1.89

1.89

From here on, the four kinds of capacities correspond to the initial mind of the rank of faith. Why is it that the preceding three persons are each subsumed under a single gate, while here there are four? Because the preceding three have superior faculties, so advancing is easy and retrogressing is difficult, without needing many skillful means to assist in developing the power of the path. Here, the faculties are inferior, so retrogressing is easy and advancing is difficult, and they rely on many skillful means; hence there are four. Among the four, the first three are for the lower, middling, and superior persons, and the last one spurs diligent cultivation. Among the three, the first serves as the condition for the concluding passage of the fourth cultivation in the below "Section on Cultivating Faith." This is because in that text, sentient beings with heavy karma, many afflictions, and wholesome roots that are difficult to generate are caused to eliminate evil karmic hindrances through skillful means such as paying homage and repentance. Because their hindrances are lightened, internally they are free from stubbornness, ignorance, folly, and arrogance, and externally they escape the snaring net of evil māras; hence it says "skillfully protect their minds, leaving behind folly and arrogance and escaping the nets of evil." This corresponds to the lower grade.