起信論疏筆削記 6.3

6.3

From "The meaning..." in the commentary downward is the second part, explaining the meaning, with three subdivisions: first, explaining the text. "The name and meaning of Mahāyāna": Mahāyāna is the name, and the name is established in reference to the meaning; therefore one must discern the meaning, for there has never been a name without meaning. "For what reason," and so on, doubly queries the name and the meaning, meaning: in reference to what meaning does it obtain the name "Mahāyāna"? We do not yet know what meaning the Mahāyāna has. Because it doubly queries, it does not say "For what reason is it named...?" but says "For what reason is it...?" The single character "is" doubly contains both forces—truly the skillfulness of the text! "It means this..." downward explains the three greatnesses, which can be understood. "Two conveyances" has two meanings: first, conveying oneself and conveying others; second, already conveyed and to be conveyed. Now, in this treatise, it specifically refers only to the latter meaning; hence the text below says: "Because it is what all Buddhas originally rode, and because all bodhisattvas ride this dharma to reach the Tathāgata ground." Within both of these, conveying oneself and conveying others are fully present. It is in reference to this meaning that it is named "Mahāyāna."