大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 4.68

4.68

論。從本已來至一切功德　釋曰。次明相大。於中有二。初正明性德。後問答重辨。前中亦二。先明德相。後顯立名。初中又三。初總標。次別釋。後總結。此初也。謂此相德即於體大自性之上本來具足。非新起故名性功德。如水八德不離水故。

[Treatise:] From the beginning, [its self-nature is fully endowed with] all meritorious qualities.
[Commentary:] Next, the greatness of marks is clarified. Within this there are two: first, directly clarifying the qualities of the nature; second, questions and answers re-differentiating it. In the former there are also two: first, clarifying the marks of qualities; second, revealing the assignment of names. In the former there are again three: first, general statement; next, separate explanation; later, general conclusion. This is the first. It means that these qualities of marks are inherently complete on the self-nature of the greatness of substance; because they do not newly arise, they are called "meritorious qualities of the nature," just as the eight qualities of water are not separate from water.