大般涅槃經集解 2.19

2.19

I note that Sengzong says: "This lists the companions in hearing. They are listed in four groups altogether: first, those who arrived together with the Buddha at the Twin Forest without waiting to be summoned by the light; second, those who came only after receiving the three portents; third, those who, though receiving the three portents, could not dispatch themselves, so the forest was transformed to urge their arrival; fourth, those who did not wait to be summoned by the light, but whose Buddhas knew the time and sent them to participate in the event. This is the first, listing those beside the Buddha beforehand. Bhikṣu is a word of India. It is interpreted here with three meanings: mendicant, destroyer of evil, and frightener of māras." Baoliang says: "This lists those who followed the Buddha here on the evening of the fourteenth day. It is the name for renunciants in that country. This land does not have this name, but praises it with three meanings, such as frightening māras, etc. 'Surrounded before and behind' means circling around to pay homage." Zhixiu says: "These are still those summoned by the sound and light. Wishing to follow the precedent of other sūtra prefaces, the large number is briefly indicated, specifically mentioned in advance. However, companions in hearing are of three kinds: first, identity of place; second, identity of time; third, identity of the Dharma heard. Since Ānanda was outside the śāla forest at that time, his time was not identical." Daohui's record says: "'Great' means they were all persons who had attained the Way."