大乘起信論略述 1.58

1.58

Treatise: "That which is called suchness […] using words to discard words." Commentary: Below is the second [section], revealing the name of suchness. Here there are three [parts]: first, indicating the intention behind establishing the name; next, revealing that the true essence is devoid of discarding and establishing; finally, generally concluding with the nameless name of the ultimate. This is the first. Within the text there are two sections. The first two clauses resolve external doubts. That is, someone doubts: "If phenomena are true and therefore free from names and so forth, one should not additionally establish this name 'suchness.' Since it is so, suchness must have the attribute of a name." Therefore, this explanation says: "It also has no attribute." This means that it is only conventionally spoken of as suchness, not that the name and attribute of suchness are preserved. The two clauses below turn to explain the intention of establishing this name "suchness." That is, someone again doubts: "If this suchness has no true attribute, why is a conventional name necessary?" Therefore, this explanation says: "That which is called suchness" is a provisional establishment of the ultimate name at the boundary of speech. In order to discard other names, the total locus of speech is provisionally named suchness. Beyond this name, there are no further names, just as one corrects a sound by using a sound, and beyond this sound, there is no further sound.