大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 4.49

4.49

[Treatise:] "Even if they have [...] joyfully seek nirvāṇa." [Commentary:] This is the deficiency of causes. That is, having the thick and heavy defilement of avidyā, even though tathatā perfumes internally, it lacks superior power; even if they encounter external conditions, they cannot attain realization, just as extremely damp wood when drilled does not generate fire. Question: When the internal mind feels disgust and seeks, they ought to meet the Buddha; how could there be a deficiency of conditions? If they invoke the condition of the Buddha, then their mind is without defilement; how could there be a deficiency of causes? Reply: Although internally feeling disgust and seeking, if they lack the karma to see the Buddha, then the mind has defilement; thus there is a deficiency of conditions. If they have the karma to meet the Buddha, but finding pleasure in birth they lack the mind of disgust and seeking, then there is a deficiency of causes. These four propositions should be contemplated according to the principle.