起信論疏筆削記 16.47

16.47

三、行成。論　一萬劫者，約根利鈍，料揀有四句：一、利根不精進；二、利根精進（此二劫數皆不可定）；三、鈍根精進，極遲一萬劫；四鈍不精進，此乃困而不學，何足以議其劫數耶？今此論中取第三者，故云一萬劫。故《本業經》云：是信相菩薩十千劫行十戒法，當出十信心，入初住位。又彼經云：若一劫二劫三劫修十善法，亦退亦出。若值善友，能信佛法，若一劫二劫方入住位。疏　行成者，本疏云：時滿行成。時謂十千劫，行謂十信心滿至出心也。

3. Completion of Practice. On the treatise's "ten thousand kalpas": In terms of sharp and dull faculties, there are four alternatives when distinguishing them: (1) sharp faculties but not vigorous; (2) sharp faculties and vigorous (the number of kalpas for these two cannot be fixed); (3) dull faculties and vigorous, taking at the slowest ten thousand kalpas; (4) dull faculties and not vigorous—these are exhausted without studying, so how could their number of kalpas even be discussed? Here in this treatise, the third is taken, and therefore it says "ten thousand kalpas." Thus the Benye jing says: "This Bodhisattva of Faithful Marks practices the tenfold precepts for ten thousand kalpas; then he should emerge from the ten faithful minds and enter the stage of the first aboding." That sūtra also says: "If for one kalpa, two kalpas, or three kalpas one cultivates the ten wholesome dharmas, one both regresses and advances. If one encounters good spiritual friends and is able to believe in the Buddha-Dharma, in one kalpa or two kalpas one then enters the stage of aboding." On the commentary's "completion of practice": The root commentary says, "The time is fulfilled and the practice is completed." "Time" refers to the ten thousand kalpas; "practice" refers to the completion of the ten faithful minds leading to the emergence of the [bodhi] mind.