大乘起信論內義略探記 1.21

1.21

問：二門既起相攝者，何故真如門唯示體，生滅門具示三大？答：真如是泯相顯實門，不壞相而即泯，故得攝生滅；泯相而不存，故但示體。生滅是攬理成事，不壞理而成事，故得攝真如；成事而理不失，故示三大也。

Question: Since the two gates mutually subsume each other, why does the aspect of tathatā only demonstrate essence, while the aspect of arising and ceasing fully demonstrates the three greatnesses? Answer: Tathatā is the gate of eliminating attributes to reveal reality; without destroying attributes, it immediately eliminates them, and therefore it is able to subsume arising and ceasing; eliminating attributes without retaining them, it demonstrates only essence. Arising and ceasing gathers principle to accomplish phenomena; without destroying principle, it accomplishes phenomena, and therefore it is able to subsume tathatā; accomplishing phenomena without losing principle, it demonstrates the three greatnesses.