起信論疏筆削記 1.47

1.47

From "Thereby causing..." onward, it separately reveals [the matter], in two [parts]: first, delusion regarding the principle. "Thereby causing" is a phrase that connects the preceding to what follows. Because the preceding faculties and conditions were already inferior and heterodox attachments were still rampant, it thereby caused them to be deluded about the original true mind, to wander along with delusion, so that the inherently possessed jewel of meritorious dharmas was rendered useless, and the wish-fulfilling jewel of perfect understanding was veiled by defilement and did not manifest. Destitute and helpless on the road of saṃsāra, hiring themselves out at the gate of nirvāṇa, drifting aimlessly through dust-like eons, none could enter the secret treasury of the three virtues. Here, two metaphors each come from a sūtra: First, the metaphor of the poor house's treasure, which is the fifth of the nine metaphors in the *Tathāgatagarbha-sūtra*. That text says: "It is like a poor house having a treasure of precious gems, but the treasure cannot say, 'I am in here.' Since [the owner] does not know it himself and no one speaks of it, this treasure of precious gems cannot be unearthed. All sentient beings are also like this: the great Dharma-treasure of the Tathāgata's vision and knowledge is within their bodies, yet they do not hear or know of it, indulge in confusion over the five desires, transmigrate in saṃsāra, and suffer immeasurable pain," etc. To conceal means to hide; to relieve means to rescue from deficiency. Being young and without a father is called helpless; reaching the extremity of having no wealth is called destitute. The application to the Dharma can be understood. Second, the metaphor of the bright pearl sewn inside the garment, which is the passage on the prophecy given to the five hundred disciples in the *Lotus Sūtra*; its detailed explanation is as found there. To hire out one's labor is called hiring out; to serve as an attendant is called employment. The rest of the text is intelligible.