大乘起信論略述 1.87

1.87

論。是故一切至無始無明　述曰。此顯不覺之失也。文中有三。謂標釋結。是故等者乘前標也。是前無念名為覺故。除佛以外不名為覺。以從等者。釋所以也。已從無始至成佛來。無明之念念念相續未曾離故。前對四相故說漸覺。皆有無明故說不覺。故說等者。結不覺義。謂依無明而起諸念故有念者。說彼皆是無始無明。不名覺也。

[Treatise:] "Therefore, all… beginningless avidyā."

Commentary: This reveals the fault of non-awakening. The text has three parts: indication, explanation, and conclusion. "Therefore…" follows from the preceding to indicate this: since the aforementioned thoughtlessness is called awakening, all except the Buddha are not called awakened. "Because from…" explains the reason: from beginningless time up to the attainment of buddhahood, the thoughts of avidyā have continued thought-moment after thought-moment, never having ceased. Previously, gradual awakening was taught with reference to the four phases; but because avidyā is present in all of them, they are called non-awakening. "Therefore it is said…" concludes the meaning of non-awakening: because thoughts arise in reliance on avidyā, those who possess thoughts are all said to be [in] beginningless avidyā, and are not called awakened.