[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2814) › 5.34 # 大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 5.34 大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 5.34 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [5.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2814.5.34) 論。是菩薩至不依文字　釋曰。下顯證用。於中有四。一攝諸上首德。二隨根延促德。三實行不殊德。四應機殊用德。此初也。是菩薩等者。此明請法。唯為開導等者。顯其請意。若爾便違諸經論說。唯除能至百世界故。有義。證者雖言地上明起用等。偏就法雲故。說一念能至十方。即舉初後略中間也。有義。此說理深不可。初地應無諸證用故。既請法等初地亦能。寧說起用唯法雲也。由其任運作意別故。諸經論中就任運義唯說能至百佛世界。今就作意顯法身用故。於一念能至十方。故新論言。此菩薩以無分別智。證離言說真如法身故。能一念遍往十方一切世界。然此菩薩法出自心非自心非自求解。請轉法輪但為開導無聞眾生令依正教而得利益。自身決定不依文也。問。諸經皆說利益安樂。今此請法無安樂耶。答。菩薩先行利益事故。但有利益必安樂故。或有安樂非利益故。由此菩薩於諸眾生或不施與身財法等。由雖暫安樂非久利益故。 > \[Treatise:\] These bodhisattvas \[…\] do not rely on letters. > \[Commentary:\] Below, the function of realization is revealed. Here there are four \[virtues\]: first, the virtue of gathering the foremost \[beings\]; second, the virtue of extending or shortening \[time\] in accordance with faculties; third, the virtue of actual practice being non-distinct; fourth, the virtue of distinct applications according with capacities. This is the first. > "These bodhisattvas \[…\]": this clarifies requesting the Dharma. "Only for the sake of opening the way and guiding \[…\]": this reveals their intention in requesting. > If so, this would contradict what is spoken in various sūtras and treatises: "only able to reach a hundred worlds". > One view holds: Although realization is spoken of as giving rise to functions on the grounds, it is spoken exclusively with respect to the Cloud of Dharma \[Ground\]; therefore it says that in a single thought-moment they can reach the ten directions, which adduces the beginning and the end while omitting what lies between. > Another view holds: This explanation goes too far into profound principle and is unacceptable, for the first ground would then lack all functions of realization. Since requesting the Dharma and so forth can also be done on the first ground, how could it be said that initiating these functions belongs only to the Cloud of Dharma? Because spontaneous functioning and deliberate intention differ, the various sūtras and treatises, with respect to spontaneous functioning, speak only of being able to reach a hundred Buddha-worlds. Here, with respect to deliberate intention, the function of the dharmakāya is revealed; hence in a single thought-moment they can reach the ten directions. Thus the New Treatise says: "Because these bodhisattvas, through non-conceptual cognition, realise the dharmakāya of suchness that is beyond verbal expression, they are able in a single thought-moment to travel throughout all the worlds of the ten directions." > However, this bodhisattva's Dharma emerges from their own mind; it is not that their own mind seeks understanding for itself. Requesting the turning of the wheel of Dharma is solely to open the way and guide sentient beings who lack hearing, causing them to rely on the correct teaching and attain benefit; they themselves definitely do not rely on letters. > Question: The sūtras all speak of "benefit and joy"; why does this requesting of the Dharma here lack "joy"? > Answer: Because a bodhisattva first carries out matters of benefit; wherever there is benefit there is necessarily joy, whereas there may be joy that is not beneficial. On this account, bodhisattvas may sometimes not give body, wealth, or Dharma to sentient beings, because although it might provide temporary joy, it would not be of lasting benefit. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 5.33](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2814.5.33) - [Next: 5.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2814.5.35) - [Up: 5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2814.5) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2814~en-mt.5.34) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (2) - [大乘起信論裂網疏](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1850.5.88) — Classical Chinese - [大乘起信論略述](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2813.2.152) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2814.5.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2814.5.34) · Pramāṇa