起信論疏筆削記 14.6

14.6

On the Śāstra's text from "Yet there is" onward: Second, he explains what is clung to, in three parts: first, he clarifies the difference in the fundamental basis on which they rely. On the Commentary's "The fundamental," and so forth: since they are delusive dharmas of arising and ceasing, by the nature of dharmas they cannot be equal. Sentient beings possess these, each differing from another, unlike the single essence and equality of tathatā; hence it says "thick and thin." "Earlier and later are likewise so": those with thick [ignorance] are slow to have faith; those with thin [ignorance] are swift to have faith. The thickness and thinness, progress and regress of faith are to be known by this analogy. On "It is not that [tathatā]," and so forth: the fault lies in avidyā possessing thickness and thinness; it is not that tathatā forms degrees of disparity.