大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 3.14

3.14

Treatise: Furthermore, [original awakening, according to the distinction of following defilement, produces two kinds of characteristics, not separate or distinct from that [original awakening]].

Commentary: The preceding broadly explained initial awakening; below broadly explains original awakening. Herein there are two: first, explaining following defilement, and later, revealing the pure nature. The first has three: marking, distinguishing, and discerning the characteristics. This is the initial marking. Because it reveals original awakening according to the gate of movement, it says "original awakening, according to the distinction of following defilement". Since it moves in accordance with conditions, it is said to "produce". Although it is said to follow defilement, it does not lose its pure nature; therefore it says "not separate or distinct from that". Since this defilement that is followed has two kinds, in accordance with this defilement it produces the two characteristics below. Speaking of the two defilements: first, one's own defilement, which is all the defilements arisen from perfuming by avidyā when on the causal stage; second, the defilements of others, which are the defilements of all sentient beings that are identical in substance with oneself when on the fruitional stage. Regarding the characteristics produced in accordance [with defilement], there are several positions here. One position holds: in accordance with one's own defilement, the characteristic of cognitive purity is produced, because it is said that from defilement one attains cognitive purity; by following others' defilements, the inconceivable activity is produced, because superior activity arises to transform defiled beings. Another position holds: both arise following one's own defilement. That is, the mind of original awakening possesses both substance and activity: following defilement, it reveals the substance to become the characteristic of cognitive purity; following defilement, it reveals the activity to give rise to the inconceivable activity. Since only by severing one's own defilement can one give rise to activity, the inconceivable activity also follows one's own defilement. Another position holds: both arise following others' defilements. That is, the various bodhisattvas practice and attain the fruit, manifesting the dharmakāya and giving rise to all functional activities; these matters all exist in accordance with the defilements of sentient beings. If there were no defiled capacities to deliver, there would be neither practice nor attainment, but only the one-taste characteristic of tathatā. If so, these two should be initial awakening. We answer: based on two meanings, they are only called original awakening. First, by distinguishing the defilement they confront: initial awakening is spoken of in relation to the defilement that is concurrent with it, while these two characteristics are in relation to the defilement that is followed. Second, by distinguishing fundamental existence and production through cultivation: cognitive purity and the other are spoken of based on the meaning of fundamental existence, whereas initial awakening is spoken of based on production through cultivation. Although said to be not identical, they are also not different: because the confronted defilements, whether concurrent or followed, both rely on the true and do not have a distinct substance; and because both original and initial awakening possess the meanings of production through cultivation and fundamental existence without distinction. That is, the originally initial has no other dharma; from this meaning, it is collectively called fundamental existence. Only when the initial accords with the original is it called original awakening; from this meaning, it is collectively called production through cultivation. Since original awakening is taken to make initial awakening, this original awakening is also fundamental existence produced through cultivation. Furthermore, because it receives the name "original" in contrast to the initial, this initial awakening is also called production through cultivation fundamentally existent. This principle of dependent origination is like a round pearl: whichever single gate is raised, there is none that is not completely subsumed. Therefore, whether cognitive purity and the rest are different from or equal to initial awakening, there is no impediment.