大乘起信論義記別記 1.7

1.7

Fourth, regarding the "store of merits" within the Jewel of the Dharma, "store" has three meanings: 1. The meaning of accumulation, because it accumulates dharmas internally to propagate them. 2. The meaning of containment, because it gathers and encompasses both internal and external. 3. The meaning of giving rise, because its outflowing virtues accomplish benefit. The dharma of principle possesses these three meanings: with respect to inherent virtues, it has the first meaning; with respect to those teachings, practices, and fruitions, it has the latter two meanings. Practice and fruition again have two meanings: practice and fruition each accumulating virtues for themselves has the first meaning; further, looking toward self-nature and looking toward principle, they have the second meaning. Fruition looking toward practice and teaching has the meaning of giving rise; practice looking toward both fruition and teaching has the meaning of giving rise. The teaching looking toward the three established before possessing all three meanings may be known accordingly.