起信論疏筆削記 5.27

5.27

Commentary: "Among the four..." Third, specific determination. Within this single class of inferior capacities, there are again differences of higher, middling, and lower. Now, the fifth is taken as lower faculties, the sixth as middling faculties, the seventh as higher faculties, and the eighth as a general encouragement and exhortation. Question: According to the preceding sequence, it proceeds from superior to inferior; why from here onward does it turn from inferior to superior? Answer: Bodhisattvas of superior faculties are arranged according to status and precedence; sentient beings in retrogression are considered by saving the inferior first; therefore this sequence is followed. From this, the former manifests the bodhisattva's wisdom, and the latter displays the bodhisattva's compassion.