大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 4.26

4.26

[Treatise:] The meaning of perfuming: [it is like clothing in the world, which originally has neither fragrance nor stench, but if perfumed with fragrance, it then has fragrance.]
[Commentary:] Next is the extensive clarification of the meaning of perfuming. Herein there are two: first general, then specific. Within the general there are also two: first the simile, then the application. This is the first. Here 'clothing' mutually and generally serves as a simile for tathatā and avidyā. 'Fragrance' applies generally to good and bad; according to context it also serves as a simile. Tathatā and avidyā mutually act as that which perfumes and that which is perfumed to produce the scent. Therefore the new translation of the treatise says: 'Just as clothing in the world is neither foul nor fragrant, but when perfumed with any substance, it then possesses that scent.'