大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 17.69

17.69

In the commentary, from “However, regarding the sūtras that Ānanda did not hear” downward is the second [part], resolving the objection concerning not hearing. That is, there is a question: “Ānanda was born on the night the Buddha attained the Way, left home only upon reaching the age of twenty, and only when he reached thirty did the Tathāgata appoint him as his attendant. Ānanda did not hear what the Tathāgata preached during the thirty years prior to this. Why does the beginning of every sūtra say ‘I heard’?” Hence this answer is given. The answer has four meanings, broadly divided into two sections: the first three carry expedient [teachings], while the last one reveals the actual. First, regarding “some say he heard through transmission,” there are several explanations: first, the Bao’en jing, Fascicle 6, says: “The sūtras Ānanda did not hear were heard from the various bhikṣus, or were spoken to Ānanda by various devas.” Second, according to the Nirvāṇa Sūtra, Fascicle 40: “After my nirvāṇa, what the bhikṣu Ānanda has not heard will be widely disseminated by the Bodhisattva Hongguang; what Ānanda has heard, he will personally be able to proclaim and propagate.” Third, the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa, Fascicle 2, says: “Kāśyapa and Ānanda compiled the Tripiṭaka at Rājagṛha. At that time, the Elder Mahākāśyapa said to Ānanda: ‘The Buddha entrusted you to uphold the treasury of the Dharma. You must repay the Buddha's kindness. Where did the Buddha first preach the Dharma? The Buddha's great disciples who could protect the Dharma treasury have all entered extinction; only you alone remain. You should now follow the Buddha's mind, and out of compassion for sentient beings, compile the Buddha's Dharma treasury.’ At that time Ānanda, having paid homage to the saṃgha, sat on the lion throne. Then Mahākāśyapa spoke these verses: