大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 5.30

5.30

The treatise states: "Because these bodhisattvas... what they cultivate is free from marks." Commentary: This reveals the superior characteristics. The New Translation also explains three superior senses for this: first, because the first incalculable kalpa is about to be completed; second, because they have attained profound understanding of tathatā; third, because whatever they cultivate is free from marks. Relying on the New Translation, this also reveals three superiorities. "Because these bodhisattvas, etc." clarifies the superiority of time. That is, from the first abiding when they attained correct faith up to now, they have reached the final division of the first kalpa. That first kalpa has three divisions in all: the ten abidings, practices, and dedications occupy the beginning, middle, and end. Now this aspiration is at the end of the ten practices, and the initial mind of the ten dedications is precisely in the final period; therefore it says that the first kalpa is about to be completed. This is also stated in terms of the most slow-footed cases; for vigorous cultivators it does not take that much time, just as the stage of the ten faiths takes ten thousand kalpas, and so on. "With respect to tathatā, etc." clarifies the superiority of understanding. In the preceding stage of faith they only aroused a straightforward mind; now to show its difference from the preceding it says "profound." To show its difference from the preceding it says "profound." To show its difference from subsequent stages, it further says "understanding attained"; because this profound understanding is attained, it says "becomes manifest." "What they cultivate is free from marks" clarifies the superiority of practice. Because they have attained profound understanding of tathatā, whatever they cultivate is entirely free from marks.