大乘起信論義記 2.41

2.41

In the first part, the doubter asks: "Since it cuts off names and marks and only provisionally establishes a guest name, why not establish other names instead of only saying 'tathatā'?" In explanation, [the author] says: "Tathatā" is the utmost limit of verbal expression, meaning that after this name there is no further name; it is the final boundary among all names. Among the ten kinds of names in the Mahāyānasaṃgraha, the name tathatā is the tenth, ultimate name, hence called the "limit." "Using words to eliminate words" means establishing this ultimate name in order to eliminate names. Without this name, there would be no way to eliminate names; but if one holds on to this name, names are likewise not eliminated. Like striking a sounding-block to call for silence: without this sound, other sounds would not be stopped; but if, in order to preserve this sound, one repeatedly strikes for silence, it becomes noisy itself and thus fails to stop sounds. One should know that the intent here is also like this; it must be carefully discerned.