大般涅槃經集解 8.14

8.14

案僧亮曰：如來勅問，必欲流通。而諸聲聞不任有三：一者以智淺、二以壽促、三無眷屬，所以不能任持法也。

Sengliang comments: When the Tathāgata commands them to ask, he certainly intends for [the teaching] to circulate. Yet the śrāvakas are not competent in three respects: first, their wisdom is shallow; second, their lifespans are short; third, they have no retinue; hence they cannot undertake and uphold the Dharma.