起信論疏筆削記 19.23

19.23

The Treatise states: "Neither should..." downward: Third, re-filtering. The Commentary states: "If the mind..." and so on: first, it grants a counter-assertion, with the meaning being: if external objects truly possessed real essence, restraining the mind so that it does not cognize them would ultimately be impossible. Because it would be impossible not to cognize them, one would subsequently be able to eliminate mind with mind; this then concedes that it could be eliminated. However, regarding the surplus character zhe 者, carefully examining this passage again, it seems that the three characters bu gu zhe 不故者 are surplus, and it should only say: "restraining it so that it does not cognize could be attained, and subsequently one eliminates mind with mind." Only then does the meaning become clear; please examine this further. From "Now since..." downward correctly clarifies that, once it is known that there are no objects, the mind naturally does not arise; how could one allow the mind to cognize outwardly and then subsequently dispel it—would that not be laboring in vain? Just like a person telling their child to do wrong and then rebuking them again—what sense would there be in that?