起信論疏筆削記 1.44

1.44

From "The Great Master..." onward directly explains [this], in two [parts]: first, narrating the errors and recounting the deluded; which has two [subparts]: first, an overall account. "The Great Master": his virtuous karma was lofty and supreme, capable of serving as a rule and model; this is the title of "Teacher of Gods and Humans" among the ten epithets. When his conditions ended, his transformative activity ceased and the Buddha-sun concealed its light; hence it says "after his demise," meaning that both the time and the conditions were inferior. At that time, the dark path lost its illumination, the world was entirely dark and obscure, and the True Dharma gradually declined; therefore it is called "inferior."