起信論疏筆削記 18.24

18.24

Question: Why is the fundamental basis not revealed in terms of the Saṅgha? Answer: When it is revealed in terms of the Buddha, the Saṅgha is already subsumed, because faith and understanding on the causal ground and cultivating practice according to the principles are precisely the Saṅgha Jewel. Although the commentary text here has two meanings, it necessarily encompasses the three. It is called the fundamental basis in terms of its ability to produce the Three Jewels. Furthermore, it is because it is the fundamental basis among the dharmas to be believed in. The ultimate teaching takes only this true dharma as its principal tenets: the myriad conditions that arise arise from tathatā, and bringing conditions together into the real enters into tathatā. When bodhisattvas give rise to the mind [for bodhi], they first take tathatā as their object, give rise to faith, generate understanding, cultivate practice, and realize accord, all returning to tathatā. Therefore, it is the fundamental basis among the dharmas to be believed in. If faith does not believe in tathatā, it is called deviant faith. Therefore the Ratnagotravibhāga says: "Not believing in tathatā has five kinds of faults: despising oneself, despising others, clinging to person, clinging to dharmas, and giving rise to evil views." One knows that the opposite of this constitutes five attainments. Therefore, in giving rise to the mind, one is first led to believe in this.