起信論疏筆削記 1.30

1.30

三際等者。際，時限也。莫，無也。易謂變改三際。雖是能易之法，但能遷變有為，令其改易。心非有為，故不能易。《淨名》云：但以文字數故說有三世，非謂菩提有去來今。

As for 'the three periods, etc.': 'Period' (ji) means time limit. 'Mo' means without. 'Change' (yi) means alter and transform. Although the three periods are dharmas that can change, they can only alter and transform the saṃskṛta, making it change. The mind is not saṃskṛta, so they cannot change it. The *Vimalakīrti-nirdeśa* says: 'It is only by virtue of words and numbers that the three periods of time are spoken of, not that bodhi has past, future, or present.'