大乘起信論義記 2.192

2.192

Question: What is the difference between the cognitive purity in the previous section on conforming to defilement and this mirror of dharma-emergence-and-freedom? Furthermore, what is the difference between the previous karmic functioning and this conditioning-perfuming? Answer: Because the former was discussed in terms of conforming to defilement, the return to purity was spoken of as cognition; that is, both that cognition and its functioning were explained with respect to incipient enlightenment. Here, because it is discussed in terms of intrinsic nature, the essence of the dharma is revealed through freedom from obstacles; that is, both this dharma and its functioning are explained with respect to the essence of the dharma. Therefore the former was called “cognition” and this is called “dharma”; the former was called “karmic” and this is called “conditioning.” However, although dharma and cognition differ, their essence has no distinction, because incipient enlightenment is none other than innate enlightenment; it is only that they are analyzed and explained here in terms of meaning, and hence there is the distinction between cognitive object and cognition.