大乘起信論義記別記 1.43

1.43

Question: Each having two meanings, possessing and lacking, contradiction and clash—would they not be mutually opposed? Answer: Not only are the natures of possessing and lacking not mutually opposed, they also harmonize and thus become established. How so? Within initial enlightenment, were it not the initial enlightenment accomplished from the original, there would be no way to reveal original enlightenment; within original enlightenment, were it not the original enlightenment in contrast to the initial, there would be no way to accomplish initial enlightenment. Therefore, with the four meanings of initial and original, because their pratītyasamutpāda is one, they cannot be differentiated; yet because of the four meanings, they cannot be made identical. Just like a round pearl: whichever way it is taken, it is fully embraced. Guarding against faults and revealing virtues, as well as contradiction establishing faults and so forth, each has four propositions, which should be understood accordingly.