仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經疏 1.39

1.39

In explaining the initial preface section, the text is divided into two: first, elucidating the general preface, meaning "Thus [have I heard]" and so forth; afterwards, elucidating the specific preface, "At that time the World-Honoured One" and so forth. Moreover, these two prefaces form five pairs in total: first, the general versus specific pair: universally possessed by all sūtras versus the specific circumstances of this particular text. Second, the witnessing versus initiating pair: the initial transmitter of the Dharma cites proof to inspire faith, whereas the subsequent preacher of the Dharma initiates it through specific circumstances. Third, the earlier versus later pair: texts such as "Thus..." were placed after the preaching of the sūtra, whereas texts such as "At that time..." are the original conditions at the beginning of the sūtra. Fourth, the master versus disciple pair: Ānanda as the requester, and the Tathāgata as the preacher. Fifth, the present versus future pair: Ānanda's subsequent request, its time being in the future; prior to the Buddha's preaching of the sūtra, the conditions arose at that present time. In the latter three pairs, the names are not sequential, but merely adopt what sounds natural, while the meaning relies on the sūtra. The names and meanings of the first two pairs are already complete; in order to exhaust the principle, five pairs are established.