起信論疏筆削記 8.40

8.40

Treatise: "Two kinds of meanings...", etc. The commentary has two parts: first, explaining the unfolding of the number; it has two parts: first, stating and adducing the explanatory intent. "Slightly difficult" is because within the two meanings of this single consciousness, many dharmas are contained: externally it encompasses the myriad forms, and internally it constitutes both subject and object; preserving it, saṃsāra is boundless, while destroying it, nirvāṇa is attained. If not conceptually differentiated, how could it be comprehended? Its operational characteristics are profound and hidden, hence called difficult; yet deep wisdom can comprehend it here, so it is further called "slightly." "Slightly" means a little. "Synthesizing" means examining. It means comprehensively examining the treatise from beginning to end to explain this intent, yet it is also limited to the single gate of arising and ceasing.