大乘起信論裂網疏 5.41

5.41

The doubt asks: Since it is said that all are marks beyond predication, why teach such verbal instructions as the aspects of tathatā and arising and ceasing? The intention of the explanation is clear. Alas! Later generations cling to the literal sense according with words: hearing it said that tathatā receives perfuming, they cling to the notion that tathatā definitely receives perfuming; hearing it said that tathatā does not receive perfuming, they cling to the notion that tathatā definitely does not receive perfuming. They even go so far as dividing rivers to drink water, which may truly be called multiplying false discriminations to an extreme, without generating real wisdom. But how could that be the genuine intent of Aśvaghoṣa and Dharmapāla? The second part, remedying perverse attachments, is concluded.