大乘起信論義記別記 1.55

1.55

Thirty-third: The meaning of defilement and purity. Question: As for the inconceivable karma, characteristics and functions are both called the greatness of meaning; where is it subsumed within the illusions of karmas conforming to defilement? Answer: One should make four propositions: 1. Solely pure, referring to the four wisdoms and so forth freed from entanglements. 2. Solely defiled, referring to sentient beings following the flow who have not yet awakened from ignorance. 3. Neither defiled nor pure, referring to tathatā beyond words. 4. Both defiled and pure, referring to the two greatnesses of meaning: characteristics and function. Because it is also defiled, it manifests as illusion conforming to the defilement of capacities prior to the stages; because it is also pure, tathatā conforming to conditions remains unchanging. Now, regarding these four propositions, the fourth proposition is not the third proposition, and the third proposition is not the fourth proposition; one may also negate all four propositions collectively and combine them into a single proposition, mutually fused without obstruction, which can be seen upon reflection.