起信論疏筆削記 1.35

1.35

The two lines from "Tranquil and serene..." onwards clarify that tathatā does not obstruct arising and ceasing. "Serene" (謐) also means tranquil; tranquility within tranquility is called serene. "Tranquil" means its marks are not arising and ceasing; "serene" means its essence transcends existence and non-existence. "Empty" (虛) means unobstructed and consummate penetration; "congealed" (凝) means quiescent yet constantly illuminating. Furthermore, being free from the turmoil of afflictions is called "tranquil"; being free from the shifting flow of karma is called "serene." Being free from the material obstruction of form is called "empty"; not being the arising and ceasing of the mind is called "congealed." Although the true essence is like this, its function constantly follows conditions. The function of following conditions becomes karma and fruit, where good and evil, pleasure and suffering, match like form and shadow without divergence; hence it says "has never deviated," and so forth. "Has... ever" (甞) means previously (曾). "Deviated" (乖) means conflicted with (違). Karmic causes and retributive fruits encompass both good and evil, with outflows and without outflows; that is, without moving the true limit, all dharmas are established. Thus the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa states: "There is no self, no maker, and no receiver, yet the karma performed is not forgotten." The text below states: "Although one is mindful that the intrinsic nature of all dharmas is unarisen, one is also mindful that retributions such as good and evil, suffering and pleasure, are neither lost nor destroyed."