觀心論疏 1.24

1.24

Question: Repentance through ritual action appears in the texts of the Vinaya, and the method of contemplating signs appears in the various vaipulya sūtras; these are intelligible. What is the characteristic of repentance through non-arising? Answer: The passage from the Contemplation of Samantabhadra quoted earlier is precisely this matter. Moreover, it is like Vimalakīrti rebuking Upāli, saying: 'You should directly eliminate them and not disturb their minds. Why? The nature of that transgression is not inside, not outside, and not in between. As their minds are, so are the defilements of transgression, and so are all phenomena; they do not go beyond suchness. Just as Upāli's mental characteristics are liberated, could they have any defilement?' Upāli said: 'No.' Vimalakīrti said: 'The mental characteristics of all sentient beings are without defilement, just like this.' False discrimination is defilement; freedom from false discrimination is purity. Grasping at self is defilement; not grasping at self is purity. All phenomena are like illusory transformations; this is precisely its characteristic. Thus, if one cannot do so, although one repents, [the transgression] is not eliminated, just as the verse states. The verse states: 'All who come seeking the Dharma, / Intending to be free from defilements, / If they do not know to inquire into contemplating the mind, / The defilements will ultimately not be extinguished.'