起信論註 1.41

1.41

[Treatise:] Third is defilement associated with discriminating cognition, which is gradually abandoned relying on the stage of possessing the precepts, up to the stage of signless expedient means, where it is ultimately abandoned. [Commentary:] This is called the discriminating consciousness among the five minds. Thinking and deliberating on the defiled and the pure is called discriminating cognition. It is like discriminating: "this is pure, this is defiled"; hence it is called deliberating. Also, discriminating cognition pollutes the pure mind, so it is called defilement. From the second stage to the sixth stage, when entering contemplation to observe the principle and discriminate, it can be eliminated portion by portion; hence it says "gradually abandoned." When reaching the seventh stage, because of entering contemplation for long durations, this attachment to dharmas never becomes manifest. Still, one must frequently apply attention; if one does not, there is fear of losing mindfulness. Still possessing the attachment to dharmas of intentional attention, one is not yet able to attain spontaneity; hence it is called attachment to dharmas. In the third stage, one still discriminates defilement and purity: "this is a pure dharma, this is a defiled dharma"—this is discriminating cognition. Question: What discrimination is abandoned? One only abandons discriminating: "this is a [pure] dharma, this is a defiled dharma." Reaching the sixth stage, when entering contemplation to observe the principle and abandon discrimination, it can be eliminated portion by portion; hence it says "gradually abandoned." When reaching the seventh stage, because of entering contemplation for long durations, this dharma never becomes manifest, which is termed "ultimately abandoned." The "stage of possessing the precepts" is the second stage. This stage is replete with the three collections of pure precepts. What are the three collections of pure precepts? Answer: As stated in the third fascicle of the sūtra, it is the natural morality not violated by others. Thus "signless expedient means" is the seventh stage, because one constantly applies attention to abide in signless contemplation.