起信論疏筆削記 5.24

5.24

Fourth, cultivating faith. Regarding the "four kinds of faith," the lower text says: "In brief, there are four kinds of faith. What are the four? First, faith in the fundamental, because of delighting in mindful recollection of the dharma of tathatā; second, faith that the Buddha possesses immeasurable merit, constantly being mindful to draw near, make offerings, and venerate him, generating roots of goodness and wishing to seek omniscience; third, faith that the Dharma has great benefit, constantly being mindful to cultivate the perfections; fourth, faith that the Saṅgha is able to practice correctly, benefiting self and others, constantly delighting in drawing near to the assembly of bodhisattvas, and seeking to learn the practice according to reality." Regarding "four cultivations," the lower text fully elucidates the five practices, namely giving, morality, patience, vigor, and śamatha-vipaśyanā; hence the text says: "Cultivation has five gates that can accomplish this faith," and so forth. Because the single gate of śamatha-vipaśyanā is separately engendered by the sixth cause-and-condition, it mentions "four kinds." Regarding "because of that," it explains the reason. That text says: "Among these, it is spoken for the sake of sentient beings who have not entered the stage of correct determination, to cultivate faith," and so forth. Regarding "the abiding mind of the ten faiths," although there are eight different kinds, without further analysis, they collectively constitute the abiding mind. "Slight" means that faith is not yet ripe. It causes them to receive this text, practice the former faith and conduct, and advance toward completion.