起信論疏筆削記 12.16

12.16

The Śāstra states: "Namely, relying on..." Below, second: bodhisattvas partially knowing it. Commentary: "The ten faiths" and so on: this means that although these bodhisattvas are in the rank of external ordinary beings, they are able to believe in the teaching and fully understand that the fundamental consciousness is produced by causes and conditions, has no self-nature, and is definitely without substance, being solely tathatā; only then do they achieve correct faith. Therefore, below it states that bodhisattvas of the ten faiths believe in tathatā and cultivate the samādhi of tathatā to complete the practice of correct faith. As for "cause, result, and essence": the cause is avidyā, the result is the three marks of the fundamental consciousness, and the essence is tathatā. "The three ranks of the worthy" and so on: differing from the faith of the preceding stages and distinct from the realization of the succeeding stages, it is therefore said that they "contemplate." "Inferential contemplation": since they have not yet directly realized it, they merely contemplate through inferential deduction, which is a semblance of enlightenment. The Śāstra states: "Realizing the dharmakāya"—this is from the initial ground onward; "ultimate" is the tenth ground; the phrase "up to" subsumes the eight intermediate [grounds]. Because they are enlightened according to their capacity, they cannot fully know it. However, the initial ground is discussed primarily in terms of breaking attachment to dharmas, so it is said to be "slight knowledge." If determined strictly in terms of consciousness, only on the eighth ground does one become aware of the manifesting mark of this consciousness.