大乘起信論內義略探記 1.52

1.52

Question: Among these six defilements, how many are associated, and how many are unassociated? Answer: The first three are associated; the latter three and avidyā are unassociated. Why? Because the first three arise relying on external objects, and being coarse and prominent, the mental king and mental factors are all associated; this is what is stated below: "Because the objective realm ceases, the associated mind ceases." The latter three and avidyā arise relying on the mental substance, and being extremely subtle, there is no distinction between king and factors, hence they are called unassociated; this is what is intended below when saying: "Because avidyā ceases, the unassociated ceases." Furthermore, relying on the meaning of three equalities, the designation "associated" is obtained: 1. the equality of substance, meaning that the mental factors of the various afflictions each have one substance without duality; 2. the equality of the cognizer; 3. the equality of the cognized. Possessing these three meanings, it is therefore called associated. Hence the treatise says: "The meaning of 'associated' is that although the mental states and dharmas are distinct, they rely on defiled or pure distinctions yet their cognizing characteristics and objective conditions are identical."