大乘起信論義記 3.261

3.261

Question: Since all of these are calculated with respect to the dharma of tathatā, why are they called attachments to a personal self? Answer: There are two explanations for this. The first says: these are attachments formed by ordinary beginners who possess a personal self; hence they are called attachments to a personal self. The second says: because there are two meanings in the tathāgatagarbha: one is the meaning of innate enlightenment, which is the very person falsely calculating upon it, hence called attachment to a person; the second is the meaning of the real principle, which corresponds to the dharma being contemplated. Now, based on the first meaning, it is spoken of as attachment to a person. Within each of these five there are three parts: first, 'sūtras state,' etc., is the condition for arousing attachment; second, 'because they do not know,' etc., directly clarifies the mark of attachment; third, 'how is it remedied,' etc., distinguishes the mark of the remedy. In the first mark of attachment, the statement 'because they do not know that this is to break attachments,' etc., means that because sentient beings attach to the obstructive marks of the Buddha's physical body, the dharmakāya is described as being like space; confusing the intent of the explanation, they attach to it as being identical to great space.