大乘起信論廣釋卷第三．四．五 5.5

5.5

[Treatise:] "That is to say, relying on sentient beings of the undetermined group..." / Commentary: The answer below has two parts: first, directly answering the previous question; second, adducing the inferior to reveal the superior. The former also has two parts: first, answering the three questions separately; second, concluding their entry into the stages. The former answer to the three questions is divided into three parts. This is the first. What is called here the "undetermined group" takes the person at the final mind of the ten faiths. Differentiating the three groups is provisionally differentiated in terms of karma: actions of immediate retribution are called the wrongly determined group, because they are definitely experienced; uncontaminated actions are called the correctly determined group, because they are definitively non-falling; excluding the karma of the five destinies, they are called the undetermined group, because they are not definitely experienced. Second, differentiation in terms of dharmas: within the former three groups, due to distinctions in dharmas, there are also three groups: those with the nature of attaining parinirvāṇa are called the correctly determined group, because they are definite to become noble ones; those without the nature of attaining parinirvāṇa are called the wrongly determined group, because they are bound to saṃsāra; those who are not determined are called the undetermined group, because they may or may not succeed. Third, differentiation in terms of spiritual lineage (gotra): within the aforementioned nature of attaining parinirvāṇa, three groups are further distinguished: the lineage of the two vehicles is called the wrongly determined group, because they definitely seek the lesser fruition; the bodhisattva lineage is called the correctly determined group, because they definitely generate the great mind; those of undetermined lineage are called the undetermined group, because what they seek is undetermined. Fourth, differentiation in terms of stage: this further divides into three groups solely within the bodhisattva lineage: from entering the abodes onward is called the correctly determined group, because they definitively do not retrogress; before entering faith is called the wrongly determined group, because they reject cause and effect; people in the stage of the ten faiths are called the undetermined group, because they may advance or retrogress. What is spoken of here as the "undetermined group" refers to those within the Mahāyāna lineage. Therefore, the Benye jing, relying on this, says: "Starting from an ordinary being bound by all fetters, who does not yet recognize the Three Jewels and noble ones, does not yet recognize good and bad, cause and effect, not recognizing, not understanding, and not knowing anything; from this stage of an initial ordinary being without recognition, relying on the correct teaching and Dharma of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, one gives rise to a single thought of faith and resolves upon bodhi; this person is called a bodhisattva of the marks of faith, and is also called a nominal bodhisattva; therefore they are also called undetermined sentient beings." Now, relying on this person, the practice cultivated is clarified; hence it says: "relying on sentient beings of the undetermined group."