起信論疏筆削記 4.20

4.20

In the Commentary, from "great compassion" downward, second, that which rescues. The "three conditions" means that the four immeasurable minds all possess three conditions: first, the condition of sentient beings, conditioning on sentient beings, such as parents and relatives; second, the condition of dharmas, conditioning on sentient beings as all compounded of various dharmas; third, conditionlessness, not seeing the marks of sentient beings or dharmas. Although compassion alone is mentioned here, it necessarily possesses the four minds. From "conditionless" downward, the word "great" is explained. This being the most supreme among the three conditions means that it is of the same essence as dharmatā; hence it is called "great." From "Buddha-nature" downward, proof is cited. As for "temporarily rescuing" and so forth, it is shown by contrast: temporarily generating a conditioned mind and being fond of practicing petty benevolence, seeing the poor and suffering, one may give them gold and silk or relieve them with clothing and food; seeing those in danger and distress, one may give them fearlessness and bring them peace and happiness, yet not forgetting views of self, person, or sentient beings, having a mind of partiality and estrangement—this will certainly not endure. Not only does it not endure, but it is also not universal, because seeing marks of sentient beings and self gives rise to fatigue; for this reason, the Buddha-Dharma rebukes it as "affectionate views." As for "eternally rescuing" and so forth, it is directly clarified: seeing that sentient beings originally accomplish the Buddha Path, no different from oneself, one grieves over their delusions and false wandering in saṃsāra; if they return to their source, they will certainly become Buddhas. Therefore, to transform a single sentient being, in a place of fine dust, one undergoes difficult and bitter practices for immeasurable kalpas. As it is for one, so it is for many. This is not only eternal, but also capable of universal rescue; only then is it called great compassion. Hence the text below says: "Making a vow to exhaust the future, transforming and crossing over all sentient beings without remainder, causing all to achieve ultimate nirvāṇa without remainder; because it accords with dharmatā without cessation. Dharmatā is vast and pervasive of all sentient beings, equal and non-dual, not thinking of self and other, because it is ultimately tranquil extinction."