大乘起信論義記 3.313

3.313

The words “If there are” onward are the second [part], which adduces the inferior to reveal the superior: the superior advance as before, while the inferior retrogress as here. The She[dasheng] lun says: “When the bodhisattvas are in the rank of the ten faiths, their cultivation of the Mahāyāna is not yet firm; they mostly detest and fear saṃsāra, their minds of compassion for sentient beings are still weak and slight, and they are inclined to abandon the original vows of the Mahāyāna to cultivate the path of the small vehicle; hence it is said that they wish to cultivate with an intention distinct from the Mahāyāna.” In this there are two [parts]: first, clarifying the inferior characteristics; second, from “Such [generations of the mind]” onward, concluding their retrogression and falling away. The former also has two: first, the power of internal causes is weak; second, from “There may be those who make offerings” onward, clarifying that the power of external conditions is inferior. In the former there are four phrases: the first one is heavy delusion, and the subsequent three are slight virtue. In slenderness: 1. mistakenly seeking [rebirth as] humans and gods; 2. diversely seeking the small fruition; 3. hesitating regarding the Mahāyāna.