起信論疏筆削記 12.42

12.42

In the antidote, Commentary: "The seventh bhūmi and so forth" means that prior to this bhūmi, the contemplation of dharma-emptiness has interruptions, has marks, and has effort; consequently, one cannot avoid conceptually differentiating defiled and pure objects. However, since the second bhūmi, it is eliminated and severed part by part; therefore it says "gradually." "The eighth bhūmi..." below explains the reason one comes to be free from this defilement. For if this defilement remained, one could not ascend to the seventh bhūmi, let alone reach the eighth; thus, upon arriving at the threshold of the seventh bhūmi, this defilement is entirely exhausted. "Because of the second bhūmi..." below explains the name of the second bhūmi: it means that the three collections of precepts—restraint, wholesome dharmas, and sentient beings—are complete; because of being free from the subtle defilement of breaking precepts, it is named the Immaculate Bhūmi. According to the *Avataṃsaka*, the ten bhūmis cultivate the ten pāramitās in order; this precisely corresponds to the morality pāramitā. It is not that precepts are not maintained on other bhūmis, but rather that it is explained in terms of preeminence. "Because of the seventh..." below explains the name of the seventh bhūmi. Thus the eighth bhūmi is named "Markless" and the seventh bhūmi is named "Skillful Means," meaning that it acts as a skillful means for the Markless Bhūmi; this is then the skillful means of the markless. "Because of the eighth bhūmi..." below further explains, which can be understood.