起信論疏筆削記 3.20

3.20

Second, the specific explanation has four parts: first, 'according with marks' means determining the essence in terms of the objective marks of the six sense-dusts. 'Names, sentences, and phonemes' are the inflectional expressions upon sounds; they are provisional and not real, belonging to the category of non-associated formations. Thus the treatise states: 'One name, two names, multiple names—this is called a name-group. One sentence, two sentences, multiple sentences—this is called a sentence-group. One phoneme, two phonemes, multiple phonemes—this is called a phoneme-group.' That which can express the intrinsic nature of phenomena is 'names': names are the expressers, and the intrinsic nature of phenomena is what is expressed. For instance, speaking of form, speaking of mind, speaking of water and fire, and so forth, because each expresses the intrinsic nature of a phenomenon. 'Distinctions' are 'sentences': sentences are the expressers, and the distinctions among phenomena are what is expressed. For instance, speaking of shapes, visible colors, true mind, false mind, and so forth; all phenomena follow this pattern, because within each phenomenon they delineate distinctions. 'That upon which both rely' is 'phonemes': both refers to names and sentences, and phonemes are precisely written letters/syllables, because these universally serve as that upon which the two dharmas of names and sentences rely. Therefore, names are arranged in sequence, sentences are disposed in sequence, and phonemes are joined in sequence. These directly express meanings and principles, and for this reason they are taken as the essence of the teaching.