大乘起信論義記別記 1.3

1.3

First, explaining the title: because "Mahāyāna" has seven meanings, it is called the Great Vehicle. First, because its path is supreme: the treatise states, "Being supreme over the two vehicles, it is therefore called the Great Vehicle." Second, because it is capable of arriving at the great place: the treatise states, "The Buddhas are the greatest; this Mahāyāna is capable of arriving [there], therefore it is called great." Third, because it is mounted by great beings: the treatise states, "Because the Buddhas and great beings ride this." Fourth, because it is capable of accomplishing great tasks: the treatise states, "Because it can extinguish the great suffering of sentient beings and bestow great benefits, it is therefore called great." Fifth, because it is ridden by great persons—also called ridden by many beings: the treatise states, "Because it is ridden by great bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteśvara, it is therefore called great." Sixth, because it fathoms the source and bottom of dharmas: the treatise states, "Because it can exhaust the bottom of all dharmas, it is therefore called great." Seventh, because it encompasses dharmas fully: the treatise states, "As the Buddha stated in the Prajñā[pāramitā], the meanings of the Mahāyāna are immeasurable and boundless; by this reason it is called great."