法界圖記叢髓錄 1.84

1.84

The Great Record states: Regarding 'at the moment of first generating the mind,' and so forth: within the twenty-two stages, in whichever stage one gives rise to a good or evil mind as the initial generation of the mind, that is immediately perfect enlightenment. Question: To take giving rise to a good mind as the generation of the mind and perfect enlightenment is acceptable; why is it that giving rise to an evil mind as the initial generation of the mind is also perfect enlightenment? Answer: According to the non-abiding distinct teaching, all twenty-two stages are stages of non-abiding; therefore, the time of initially giving rise to an evil mind even subsumes the Buddha fruit of the future limit. Question: If so, is there also such a meaning of generating the mind and perfect enlightenment in the non-abiding distinct teaching? Answer: As for achieving perfect enlightenment upon giving rise to a good or evil mind in whichever stage, it does not mean that one was first deluded and later awakened; rather, it is called perfect enlightenment simply because one is fundamentally awakened. Regarding 'saṃsāra and nirvāṇa,' and so forth: among the twenty-two stages, all the portion-divided [transmigration] and transmigration through transformation of the three destinies and five vehicles, together with the portion-divided and transformation within the perfect teaching, are collectively taken as the side of saṃsāra. The two and four nirvāṇas and the ten nirvāṇas found therein are collectively taken as the side of nirvāṇa. These two are mutually unaware of each other and are completely without differentiation; therefore, it is said that they 'are always completely harmonious.'