大乘起信論略述 2.24

2.24

[Treatise:] Furthermore, all Buddha-dharmas [...] then can they be accomplished. [Commentary:] Next below, differences are explained in terms of conditions. There are three parts: principle, metaphor, and application. This is the first. Now, if all Buddha-dharmas such as faith and realization relied solely on the cause without needing external conditions, it might be as challenged. However, now only when externally relying on the perfuming of function and internally having the perfuming as the cause can they be accomplished; therefore, faith, realization, and the like result in having earlier and later, and are not simultaneous.