妙法蓮華經文句 2.189

2.189

Regarding 'divine transformations': 'divine' is internal; 'transformation' is external. 'Divine' is called the celestial mind, which is the innate internal wisdom; 'transformation' is called changing movement, which is the external manifestation of the six portents. The Śūraṅgama-samādhi-sūtra says: 'The Buddha abides in non-dual dharma and is able to perform supernatural transformations; the Dharma King's power of Dharma surpasses all.' Maitreya could not fathom the external transformations, nor did he know the internal wisdom; hence his thoughts arose to this point. For mediocre people do not know men of arts; scattered people do not know those in concentration; ordinary people do not know sages; lesser sages do not know Śāriputra; Śāriputra does not know bodhisattvas; bodhisattvas do not know one who is in the stage of succession; one in the stage of succession does not know the Supreme Ultimate—thus even with respect to the ultimate stage, he does not know. Furthermore, Maitreya had encountered many buddhas and planted many good roots; how could he not have even a vague understanding? He had to conceal his illumination and show obscurity, expediently claiming not to know. The great assembly had two thoughts: first, contemplating the six portents; second, contemplating whom to ask. If compared with the verses below, they can also have three thoughts; the verse says, 'The four assemblies look up with joy, gazing upon the benevolent one and me.' Without the third thought, why would they gaze upon the benevolent one? The reason it is absent here is the desire to defer to the one in the stage of succession as foremost. The older explanation previously had three meanings: first, being in the stage of succession; second, having three thoughts; third, being able to raise the question. For this reason, the assembly lacked one thought.