大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 80.36

80.36

Regarding the commentary's "Maitreya manifested delusion regarding this purport" and so forth: this is the second part, presenting that sūtra's intent. Since he is one destined for Buddhahood in the next lifetime, what principle could he not have exhausted? He merely submitted to humiliation to awaken the listeners of that time. The statement "merely taking it as words of interrogating principle" is the mark of delusion. However, delusion has two meanings: First, in terms of Maitreya accepting the challenge: saying that all are identical with tathatā, yet I alone received the prophecy, truly goes against principle—hence it is called words of interrogating principle. Second, Maitreya did not accept the challenge: saying that although the principle is one tathatā, prophecy is received when practice is fulfilled—how can one challenge phenomena by means of principle? Hence it is called interrogating principle.