起信論疏筆削記 18.25

18.25

"Not only..." and so forth means that one not only gives rise to faith, but also delights in contemplating; delighting in contemplating is practice. However, this practice is practice that is identical to faith, because only faith accomplished through practice is real faith. Question: What is the mark of believing in tathatā? Answer: Not believing in any dharma is the mark of believing in tathatā. Because within the principle of tathatā there are originally no dharmas, if one sees dharmas as existent, that is believing in dharmas and not believing in tathatā. Now, not believing in dharmas is believing in tathatā. Alternatively, it is called faith only when one delights in mindfully contemplating. Just as in the world when a person is exhorted to do something, they are said to have faith only when they comply with the exhortation; if not, how could it be faith? Therefore, when there is faith, the principle spoken of is complied with; when it is complied with, the way of teacher and disciple is accomplished. Hence, delighting in mindful contemplation is used to explain and complete its faith.