大乘起信論內義略探記 1.43

1.43

Question: Is the mind-essence permanent, or does it also arise and cease? Or does the mind-characteristic arise and cease? Since essence and characteristic unite into one consciousness, is it that the mind-essence is permanent? Answer: If one grasps the meaning, both meanings are admitted. If discussed in terms of permanence, not accomplished by following another, it is called the essence. If discussed in terms of impermanence, arising and ceasing by following another, it is called the characteristic. What is called arising and ceasing is not the arising of arising, nor the ceasing of ceasing; it is solely the mind's arising and the mind's ceasing, hence it is named arising and ceasing. Therefore one may say that the mind-essence arises and ceases, just as the movement of water is called waves; one can never say that it is the movement of movement and not of water. The principle here is likewise so. Supposing the mind-essence did not move and only the characteristic of avidyā moved, there would be no principle of transforming from an ordinary being into a noble one. For the characteristic of avidyā is unequivocally eliminated, and the mind-essence originally does not become an ordinary being.