起信論疏筆削記 1.8

1.8

'Treatise' refers to the teaching; that is, the words of the sage bestowed upon subordinates, teaching the foolish to become wise and teaching ordinary beings to become sages. 'Treatise' (*śāstra*) means discussion and debate. That is, hypothetically positing host and guest, questioning and answering oneself, repeatedly investigating and examining, and thoroughly unfolding the true central principle. It deliberates and evaluates the dharmas and meanings as discussed above, instructing and admonishing students. However, treatises have the difference between doctrinal treatises and exegetical treatises; this is a doctrinal treatise, meaning that the great being Aśvaghoṣa composed it by taking as his authority more than a hundred definitive Mahāyāna scriptures, such as the *Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra*, *Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra*, *Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra*, and *Viśeṣacintibrahma-paripṛcchā-sūtra*. 'Definitive' means that its meaning is rich while its words are concise, leaving no dharma uncollected. Hence the text below says: 'Thus, in order to synthesize and encompass the vast, profound Dharma and limitless meanings of the Tathāgata, this treatise should be spoken.' It also says: 'Thus, regarding the secret treasury of all Buddhas of the Mahāyāna, I have completely explained it.' It also says: 'The extremely profound and vast meanings of all Buddhas, / I now explain in accordance with dhāraṇī,' and so forth. Now, this text of the treatise was composed by the great being who realized the truth based on sūtras within his subsequently attained cognition. Later people, without considering that their own well-rope is short, instead claim that the spring has run dry, often slandering it and saying that it is not perfect and definitive. The text below encourages faith with no lack of earnestness, and the benefits of hearing, contemplation, and cultivation fully display their merits and advantages. If one does not believe and slanders it, one will suffer pain for kalpas on end; how can one not exert oneself!