觀音義疏 1.84

1.84

Second, identifying the person encountering the peril: this is the merchant leader. This again has four parts: first, explaining the leader; second, having followers; third, carrying treasure; fourth, treading perilous paths. 'Merchant' (shāng) glosses as measuring (shāngliang): this person discriminates the precious from the base, understands wealth and profit well, measures appropriately, and is fit to be the leader of the merchants. Since there is a merchant leader, there are also those who are led. Since the merchants travel perilous and distant paths, what they carry must be rare commodities, hence it says 'heavy treasures'. As for perilous paths: either a desolate and narrow place is called a perilous path, or a place where one encounters the ambush of hateful bandits is called a perilous path.