花嚴經文義綱目 1.63

1.63

四問儀式者，有二：一約言念、二約通別。初中泛論請問有二：一言請、二念請。答亦有二：一言說答、二示相答。此二問答如次及交絡四句可知，為成三慧有斯二例。初之二會及第八會唯是念請。答通二位，謂佛有示相答，菩薩有言說答。以對佛興請，上能知下，不待言故。為顯佛心能領疑，身相現答，自在故也。第七會言請言答，以對普賢起問，還是普賢答故。

Fourth, the ritual manner of inquiring: there are two [aspects]: first, in terms of speech and thought; second, in terms of general and specific. In the first, generally discussing inquiry, there are two kinds: first, inquiry through speech; second, inquiry through thought. Answering also has two kinds: first, answering through spoken explanation; second, answering through showing marks. These two inquiries and answers can be known as the sequential and interlaced four propositions; these two patterns exist in order to accomplish the three wisdoms. The first two assemblies and the eighth assembly are purely inquiry through thought. The answer extends to two positions: that is, the Buddha answers by showing marks, while the bodhisattvas answer by spoken explanation. Because the inquiry is raised facing the Buddha, the higher can know the lower without waiting for words. It is to reveal that the Buddha's mind can comprehend doubts and his physical marks manifest answers, because of his sovereignty. The seventh assembly has inquiry through speech and answer through speech, because the inquiry is raised toward Samantabhadra, and it is Samantabhadra who answers.