大乘起信論裂網疏 5.29

5.29

The tathāgatagarbha has neither beginning nor end; saṃsāra relies on it, having no beginning but having an end; nirvāṇa relies on it, having a beginning but having no end. The nature of the womb (garbha) is like a direction; saṃsāra is like disorientation; nirvāṇa is like orientation. Outside of the direction there is no separate disorientation or orientation, whereby one knows the emptiness of persons. Outside of disorientation and orientation there is also no separate direction, whereby one knows the emptiness of dharmas. Furthermore, the nature of the womb is like wetness; saṃsāra is like ice; nirvāṇa is like water. Outside of wetness there is no separate ice or water: where could there be a person who undergoes saṃsāra and realizes nirvāṇa? Outside of ice and water there is also no wet nature: where could there be a dharma that initiates saṃsāra and accomplishes nirvāṇa? The first part, directly eliminating views of self, is concluded.