大乘起信論裂網疏 2.56

2.56

The earlier statement, "with one thought in accord, the awakening mind first arises," was immediately swept away by stating that one "far leaves behind the marks of awakening." Yet it was still feared that those in confusion would follow the words and grasp at a meaning, claiming that an initial mark of initial awakening can be found, not knowing that the mind is originally markless, so how could there be a beginning? For the single word "mind" is merely a nominal designation. Outside the real there is no delusion, so the deluded mind is markless; outside delusion there is no the real, so the true mind is markless. For example, when Yajñadatta's madness ceased, his original head remained as it was; how could one look upon that head for a separate mark of having "just ceased"?