大乘起信論略述 2.206

2.206

[Treatise:] If ordinary beings [... it is impossible]. [Exposition:] Next is contrasting the two concentrations of principle and phenomena to clarify the true and the false. Within this there are two: first, clarifying that concentration on principle is true; second, showing that concentration on phenomena is false. This is the first. That is to say, when ordinary beings at the ten faiths and others cultivate the Mahāyāna bodhisattva practices, there are none who do not rely on the suchness samādhi to enter the stages of the ten dwellings termed "gotra" (lineage); aside from this, there is no other way to enter; hence it says "without practicing it, it is impossible." However, the Tathāgata-gotra has two kinds: first, original dwelling, referring to the true nature of original awakening in the bodies of sentient beings, which is the seed giving rise to the Tathāgata and is originally present; second, newly arisen, referring to attaining concentration and faith at the first dwelling and above, going to the house of the Tathāgata to succeed to the Buddha's stage, which is the Buddha-seed just beginning to arise. Now, this "attaining entry into the Tathāgata-gotra" is precisely the newly arisen Tathāgata-gotra.