起信論疏筆削記 20.39

20.39

In the benefit of reflection, the treatise states: 'Suppose' sets up a hypothetical case because such a person does not actually exist. Regarding 'the trichiliocosm', the Abhidharmakośa states: 'One thousand sets of the four great continents, sun and moon, Sumeru, desire heavens, and Brahma world are called a small-thousand-world. A thousand times this small thousand is called a medium-thousand; a thousand times this is a great-thousand; they all share the same cycle of formation and destruction.' The correlation can also be known. Regarding 'the ten good deeds', transforming people and causing them to practice the ten good deeds incurs heavenly rebirth as a retribution; although they are numerous, they do not transcend the three realms and do not constitute anāsrava. If one reflects on this Dharma, it is the cause of Buddhahood and ultimately causes one to attain the unexcelled Buddha path; although the time is not long, the merit cannot be compared—how could mundane good deeds possibly be set alongside it?