法華義疏 12.150

12.150

Although he is a monastic, he is not restricted by minor rules. Second, it is said that he is a lay bodhisattva. The Nirvāṇa Sūtra states: "Those who enter the ranks of the assembly without offerings are lay bodhisattvas from other worlds; originally they were not longtime residents of the Sahā world, and therefore did not bring offerings." When it says "Dharma-giving," it means giving in accordance with the Dharma; further, giving for the sake of the Dharma; further, realizing the non-duality of wealth and Dharma. Avalokiteśvara was unwilling to accept it: first, wanting to generate earnestness in the mind of the donor; second, wanting to defer to the two Honoured Ones; third, displaying few desires and knowing contentment. Next, Avalokiteśvara's accepting it: first, upwardly according with the Buddha's command; second, downwardly pitying all living beings. Dividing it into two portions was because he wanted to progressively generate merit for the donor. Bringing up the two Honoured Ones was to demonstrate the equality and non-duality of arising and cessation. Śākyamuni's manifest arising represents wisdom, and Prabhūtaratna's nirvāṇa represents severance; this was to demonstrate that wisdom and severance are fields of merit. From "Akṣayamati" onward is the third [part]; having clarified the donor and the field of merit above, now third is the summary praise.