大乘起信論裂網疏 3.5

3.5

Question: What would be wrong with saying that deluded thoughts are not separate from untainted seeds? Answer: In terms of the aspect of tathatā, the principle is truly unimpeded. In terms of the aspect of arising and ceasing, however, untainted seeds do not give rise to tainted active manifestations. Furthermore, untainted seeds are not real phenomena existing outside of tathatā; but although this principle-nature of tathatā has never been awakened to from beginningless time, there is spontaneously this principle that ought to be correctly understood, and just this principle that ought to be spontaneously and correctly understood is named untainted seeds. Now, ignorance merely arises from not understanding tathatā; it does not mean that from the principle that ought to be correctly understood, incorrect understanding can conversely be produced.