大乘起信論略述 1.95

1.95

[Treatise:] "Because all phases of the mind… it is not that they cannot be destroyed."

Commentary: The following answer has three parts: first, the doctrine; second, the simile; third, the application. This is the first, the doctrine. All phases of the arising and ceasing mind and consciousness are phases of avidyā and non-awakening; they are not the essence of original awakening. There are phases of consciousness, because the essences of awakening and non-awakening are not one. However, these phases of consciousness of avidyā and non-awakening, while apart from the essence of non-awakening, are also not apart from the essence of original awakening, because the essences of awakening and non-awakening are not different. Because they are not different, avidyā is identical to clarity, and thus cannot be destroyed. Because they are not one, clarity and avidyā are distinct, and thus it is not that they cannot be destroyed. Previously, based on the meaning of not being destroyable, it was said that apart from the pure there is no separate stirred mind; now, based on the meaning of not being one and not being indestructible, it is said that breaking through the phases of consciousness manifests the dharmakāya. The perspectives differ, so there is no contradiction.