大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 5.132

5.132

論。諸佛甚深至眾生界　釋曰。上來已顯法施正宗。此顯迴向流通分也。文中四句。顯於大乘理教行果以為一頌。諸佛甚深廣大義者。此句正顯所說之法。顯說所依大乘理也。甚深義心真如門。如理知境難測量故。廣大境者心生滅門。如量知境廣無邊故。或二門互融名甚深義。一心統攝名廣大義。或復一心含其二門。齊限不分名甚深義。具通三大混融染淨無所不□名廣大義。皆是諸佛所證理。故名諸佛甚深義等。皆論所依大乘理也。我今隨分總持說者。此句正顯能詮之文。依理所起大乘教也。謂隨智量分所證理。以其略文而攝多義。顯前甚深廣大之義。起大乘總轉教也。迴此功德如法性者。此句正顯福施群生。顯修大乘之願行也。故新論云。功德施群生。即以功德施於群生。乃是利他之願行也。謂如法性無所不至。我此依理起教功德如法性施群生也。普利一切眾生界者。此句正顯福施之益。顯依行願所得果也。故新論頌云。願見真如性。真性即是滿分界故。此中利者即是利益。得彼大乘滿分界者。乃是眾生大理益故。菩薩願行普令眾生得此大乘之果利也。

Treatise: "The profound and vast meaning of all Buddhas … [for the benefit of the realm of] sentient beings." / Commentary: Above, the main doctrinal teaching of the Dharma-gift has been revealed; this reveals the dedication and dissemination section. Within the text, four lines express the principle, teaching, practice, and fruit of the Mahāyāna as a single verse. "The profound and vast meaning of all Buddhas": this line directly reveals the Dharma that is explained, revealing the principle of the Mahāyāna upon which the explanation relies. The "profound meaning" is the gate of the mind as tathatā, because the object known by knowing according to the principle is difficult to measure. The "vast object" is the gate of the mind as arising and ceasing, because the object known according to its measure is vast and boundless. Alternatively, the two gates mutually blending is called the profound meaning, while the one mind integrating and subsuming them is called the vast meaning. Or again, the one mind containing the two gates without demarcations or distinctions is called the profound meaning, while fully penetrating the three greatnesses and harmoniously blending defilement and purity so that there is nothing it does not [encompass] is called the vast meaning. Because all of these are the principle realised by all Buddhas, they are called the profound meaning of all Buddhas and so forth; all are the principle of the Mahāyāna upon which the treatise relies. "I now, according to my capacity, summarise and explain": this line directly reveals the text that can express it, the Mahāyāna teaching arisen from the principle. That is to say, according to the capacity of one's wisdom regarding the principle realised, one subsumes many meanings with brief text to reveal the aforementioned profound and vast meaning, giving rise to the comprehensive, turning teaching of the Mahāyāna. "Dedicating this merit like the dharmatā": this line directly reveals the gift of merit to sentient beings, revealing the vows and practices of cultivating the Mahāyāna. Therefore, the new translation says: "Giving the merit to sentient beings"—that is, giving the merit to sentient beings, which is the vow and practice of benefiting others. That is to say, just as the dharmatā reaches everywhere, this merit of mine in giving rise to the teaching based on the principle is bestowed upon sentient beings like the dharmatā. "Universally to benefit the entire realm of sentient beings": this line directly reveals the benefit of the gift of merit, revealing the fruit attained by relying on practice and vows. Therefore, the verse in the new translation says: "May they see the nature of tathatā"—because the true nature is precisely the realm of full and partial [realisation]. Here, "benefit" is advantage. Attaining that realm of the full and partial of the Mahāyāna is precisely the great benefit of the principle for sentient beings; the bodhisattva's vows and practices cause sentient beings universally to attain this fruit and benefit of the Mahāyāna.