大乘起信論略述 1.16

1.16

[Treatise:] "What are the eight? ... not for the sake of profit and veneration." / [Exposition:] Next, the second section distinguishes the meanings according to the number, separately distinguishing the eight causes, which are divided into eight. Among them, the first is the general cause, and the subsequent seven kinds are particular causes. / "General cause" has three meanings: 1. It acts as the reason common to all treatises, because abandoning suffering and obtaining joy is common to all treatises. 2. It acts as the purpose common to all faculties, because it is not only for the sake of the unfixed group. 3. It acts as the instigation common to all parts, because it does not solely act as the cause for establishing the meaning. / "All suffering" refers to the eight sufferings, the three sufferings, and the two kinds of suffering of samsāra. It means abandoning all suffering, both general and particular. / "Ultimate joy" is the joy of unsurpassed bodhi and great nirvāṇa, because what the two vehicles attain is not ultimate. / "Not for the sake of..." shows the intention of the author of the treatise, indicating that neither he himself nor sentient beings compose this treatise in pursuit of these things.