大乘起信論義記 2.18

2.18

Question: Previously, since marks were eliminated and marks do not remain, it only revealed the essence; might it also be that when principle is gathered and principle does not remain, it should only reveal marks and function? Answer: They are not analogous. Why is this? The arising of arising and ceasing necessarily relies on the true; hence when gathering the principle, the principle is not lost. Tathatā does not necessarily rely on arising and ceasing; hence when marks are eliminated, they do not remain. Because eliminating marks leaves them not remaining, it only reveals the essence; because the principle is not lost, it fully reveals the three. Therefore, while their meaning of subsumption is equal, their meaning of revelation is distinct.