大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 5.4

5.4

[Treatise:] "The perfection of faith... is capable of generating the mind." / Commentary: Below is the analysis of the characteristics. Analyzing the three names above is divided into three parts. The first part also has three sections: 1. clarifying the practice of the perfection of faith; 2. revealing the characteristics of generating the mind once practice is perfected; 3. demonstrating the benefits attained from generating the mind. The first also has two parts: first, a question; second, an answer. This is the first. Here there are four clauses, and there are two interpretations. One position holds: the four clauses constitute four questions. The first clause asks about the person capable of cultivating faith. The next clause asks about the practice they cultivate. The next clause asks about the time period when the practice is perfected. The last clause asks what mind they are capable of generating. Another position holds: the four clauses are only three questions; the first two clauses are as before, and the latter two clauses ask what mind one is capable of generating once the practice is perfected. Therefore, having only three questions is superior in principle.