大乘起信論裂網疏 1.58

1.58

摩訶衍，此翻大乘，略如題目中釋。又七義故名為大乘：一法大，謂方廣經典；二心大，謂四弘誓願；三解大，謂圓常信解；四淨大，謂淨心、地淨二分別；五莊嚴大，謂福德、智慧；六時大，謂三阿僧祇；七具足大，謂無上菩提。前六是大乘因，後一是大乘果也。有法者，梁本云「法」，猶因明所謂前陳有法以為宗依，乃指因緣生法以為所觀境也。法者，梁本云「義」，猶因明所謂後陳宗體，指所顯理諦，以明大乘義也。

"Mahāyāna" is translated here as "great vehicle," briefly explained as in the title. Furthermore, it is called the Great Vehicle on account of seven meanings: first, greatness of Dharma, meaning the extensive and correct sūtras (vaipulya); second, greatness of mind, meaning the four vast vows; third, greatness of understanding, meaning the round and constant faith and understanding; fourth, greatness of purity, meaning the two distinctions of pure mind and pure grounds; fifth, greatness of adornment, meaning merit and wisdom; sixth, greatness of time, meaning three asaṃkhyeya [kalpas]; seventh, greatness of fulfillment, meaning unexcelled bodhi. The first six are the causes of the Mahāyāna, and the last one is the fruit of the Mahāyāna. "The subject of attributes": the Liang version says "dharma," like what is called in Hetuvidyā the prior subject (dharmin) serving as the basis of the thesis (pakṣa), referring to phenomena produced by causes and conditions serving as the object of contemplation. "Attribute": the Liang version says "meaning," like what is called in Hetuvidyā the posterior thesis-essence, referring to the revealed principle and truth, so as to clarify the meaning of the Mahāyāna.