觀音義疏 2.88

2.88

Third, from 'therefore you all' onwards, this is the exhortation to make offerings. When the Buddha answered the previous question, he was first general and later specific; at the end he exhorted them to accept and uphold [the name], and as sentient beings respectfully receive hidden benefit, they need only uphold the name and maintain the syllables. Therefore the preceding opened three sections, which correspond in meaning from beginning to end, in opening and closing. When the Buddha answered the latter question, he was first specific and later general, and at the end exhorted making offerings. Since sentient beings have received manifest benefit, seeing the form and hearing the sound, he therefore exhorted making offerings. Thus opening and closing correspond from beginning to end, and the general and specific, before and after, merely mention each other reciprocally. Some people take the general answer to be praising virtues; this division of the text damages the meaning.