起信論疏筆削記 14.27

14.27

First, the ability to act with equality. The commentary states: "equal mind" means delivering all nine classes without discrimination. In the treatise, "natural perfuming" has two aspects: first, through original compassionate vows, constantly perfuming original enlightenment without ever departing from it; second, unconditioned loving-kindness and compassion constantly perfuming sentient beings, embracing them without abandonment, without waiting for deliberate intent—hence called "natural." The commentary states: "constant function" is the wonderful function of non-action, responding wherever there is an impetus. In the treatise, "wisdom of identical essence" means that this wisdom is identical in essence with tathatā, and is furthermore capable of knowing that all ordinary beings, sages, defilements, and purities are identical in one truth; this is the fundamental wisdom. The later phrase "and manifests actions" refers to subsequent wisdom. The commentary states: "explaining and establishing constant function" is also explaining and establishing the reason for equality: because the nature of tathatā is equal, unbroken, and inexhaustible, it is capable of universally delivering and never abandoning [sentient beings]. This is just as discussed below under arousing the mind upon the perfection of faith, within the great vow of equal expedients. In the treatise, "according to what should be seen and heard" means according to what should be seen in the stage of that bodhisattva, each sees the Buddha-body and pure lands; according to what should be heard, each hears the expounding of the Dharma, pointing out, instructing, benefiting, and delighting. "Manifesting actions" refers to manifesting the functional activities of great and small transformation bodies and lands. This means that manifesting bodies and expounding the Dharma are all the functions of initiating conditional perfuming, hence the commentary states that it reveals the marks of its function. Alternatively, in the text, "vowing to deliver all" is the supreme mind; "deliver" means causing them to attain extinction and liberation. "All sentient beings" is the vast mind; "constantly and eternally without abandoning" is the permanent mind; "wisdom of identical essence" is the non-inverted mind, because possessing wisdom, there is no mark of self or other. The above all reveal the essence of the equal condition; the last two lines reveal the marks of its function.