大乘起信論裂網疏 1.73

1.73

Question: Since the greatness of function in the fruit manifests forms throughout the nine realms and at times manifests in the three miserable realms, it ought also to produce evil causes and effects; why does it speak only of wholesome causes and effects? Answer: To save sentient beings, manifesting evil causes originally has no delusion or defilement and is itself untainted goodness. To save sentient beings, manifesting the reception of evil effects also has no painful feeling, being like the bliss of the third dhyāna; therefore it is named only wholesome causes and effects. Furthermore, as for saying that it 'can produce all wholesome causes and effects', it means that the great function within the fruition universally serves as the sovereign condition for sentient beings, causing them to produce various worldly and world-transcending wholesome causes and effects; it does not mean that having already become a Buddha, one produces worldly and world-transcending wholesome causes and effects for oneself. Because all transformations and manifestations of the Buddhas are the profound, unhindered functions of tathatā and all accord with the pure, wondrous virtues of nirvāṇa, they cannot be called real causes and effects.