法華義疏 1.208

1.208

「其名曰」下，第五、列名。前雖歎德，未識其名，故須列名也。眾經列名凡有二種：一者、依德行優劣以為次第，如《淨名經．弟子品》說，以命遣使問疾必須智慧辨才，故依德行優劣明次第也。二者、此中二十一人皆是序其出家得道前後以為次第也。故《十二遊經》云「初成道第二年為五人說法，第三年化迦葉兄弟三人，第五年度身子、目連」，以陳如最初得道，故最初列也。《分別功德論》云「佛法最大者謂陳如，最小者謂須跋」也。

From "whose names were" onward is fifth: listing their names. Although their virtues were praised above, their names were not yet known, hence it is necessary to list their names. The listing of names across various sūtras is generally of two kinds: First, arranging the order according to the superiority and inferiority of their virtuous conduct. For instance, as explained in the "Disciples Chapter" of the *Vimalakīrtinirdeśa Sūtra*, because commanding a messenger to inquire after his illness requires wisdom and eloquence, the order was clarified according to the superiority and inferiority of virtuous conduct. Second, the twenty-one persons here are all arranged in sequence according to the order of their leaving the household life and attaining the Way. Thus the *Twelve Activities Sūtra* states: "In the second year after first attaining the Way, he preached the Dharma for the five persons; in the third year, he converted the three Kāśyapa brothers; and in the fifth year, he delivered Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana." Because Kauṇḍinya was the very first to attain the Way, he is listed first. The *Fenbie gongde lun* states: "The senior-most in the Buddha's Dharma is Kauṇḍinya, and the junior-most is Subhadra."