起信論疏筆削記 12.27

12.27

"This is in terms of..." Below, second: concluding and discerning. The intention is to clarify that it means "sudden" in having nothing prior to it, not "sudden" in having a beginning. Saying "having nothing prior" means that because this avidyā is the most subtle, there is no dharma prior to it; "prior" means "beginning." Because it has no basis of beginning, it is said to be "sudden." Therefore the base commentary says: "because its arising has no beginning." Hence Master Zhao said: "Like a mirror suddenly gathers dust, or the sky suddenly gathers clouds." This is precisely the meaning.