觀音義疏 1.4

1.4

First, as for "at that time" (er shi): "er" means "then." That is to say, when Gadgadasvara of the eastern quarter had finished propagating the sūtra, it was next time to explain Avalokiteśvara of the western quarter propagating the sūtra, hence it says "at that time." Alternatively, the great assembly having already heard Gadgadasvara propagate the sūtra and having rejoiced, it was then the time suitable to hear of Avalokiteśvara to arouse their minds and produce wholesome roots, hence it says "at that time." Alternatively, the assembly at that time doubted Gadgadasvara: "How does he bring benefit?" When the preceding discourse had already dispelled the assembly's doubts, the assembly at that time had doubts concerning the virtue of Avalokiteśvara, and it was the very time to dispel these doubts, hence it says "at that time." Alternatively, the capacity of the assembly at that time lay in Gadgadasvara, and upon hearing they attained the Way—just as the bodhisattvas of the two lands had already attained the Way, at the time when eighty-four thousand awakened to the principle, they needed to hear of Avalokiteśvara, hence it says "at that time." The buddhas and tathāgatas do not preach the Dharma in vain; having the causes and conditions of the four siddhāntas, only then do they preach it. It is precisely the time to expound the four siddhāntas, hence it says "at that time."