大般涅槃經義記 2.74

2.74

自下第二迦葉請問，於中麁二：一請由序、第二正請。細分有七：一標列請人、二彰問所由明由佛力、三請佛求聽、四如來聽許、五蒙聽許問、六欲問承力、第七正問。初言「眾中」彰其所在，「有菩薩」下辯列其人，「本是多羅」出其生處，「姓大迦葉」彰其氏族，「婆羅門種」明其種姓，「年在幼稚」辯其老少。第二段中，明因佛力所以發問，舉此為彰所問契當。第三段中，「從座起」等身業方便，「而白」口請。第四段中，先聽其問，後許為說。第五可知。第六段中，初先彰己智微故承；「如來」已下明其所對可畏故承，於中初先明佛可畏，「是眾會」下菩薩可畏，「今當」已下明己承力。佛可畏中句別有四：一嘆佛德巍巍高勝；二嘆佛眾精純無雜；三嘆佛身，「猶如金剛」明身堅也，「色如琉璃」明身淨也；四嘆佛眾智慧深廣。就明菩薩可畏之中，初明菩薩皆成廣德，「是大眾前豈敢發問」明其可畏。下承力中，初承佛力、後承眾力。第七問中，佛前說偈，經家序列。何故偈請？偈言巧約，少字之中能攝多義，故以偈請。

Below this, second, Kāśyapa makes his request and questions. In this there are broadly two parts: first, the preface to the request; second, the main request. Divided finely, there are seven parts: (1) indicating and listing the person making the request; (2) revealing the reason for the question, explaining that it arises through the Buddha's power; (3) requesting the Buddha to seek his permission to listen; (4) the Tathāgata granting permission; (5) receiving permission and asking; (6) intending to ask and relying on power; (7) the main questions. First, stating "in the assembly" reveals his location; from "there was a bodhisattva" below differentiates and lists the person; "originally from Tala" states his birthplace; "surnamed Mahākāśyapa" reveals his clan; "of the Brahmin caste" explains his caste; "young in years" differentiates his age. In the second section, it explains that it is by relying on the Buddha's power that he raises questions, bringing this forward to show that what is asked is apt and fitting. In the third section, "rising from his seat" and so forth are physical expediencies, while "and said" is the verbal request. In the fourth section, he first permits his questioning, and subsequently promises to explain for him. The fifth can be known. In the sixth section, he first reveals that his own wisdom is slight and therefore relies [on power]; from "Tathāgata" below, he explains that those he faces are formidable and therefore relies [on power]—herein, he first explains that the Buddha is formidable, from "this assembly" below that the bodhisattvas are formidable, and from "now I shall" below explains his relying on power. Within the Buddha being formidable, there are four distinct phrases: (1) praising the Buddha's virtues as majestic, lofty, and preeminent; (2) praising the Buddha's assembly as pure and unmixed; (3) praising the Buddha's body, where "like a vajra" explains the body's firmness, and "its color like lapis lazuli" explains the body's purity; (4) praising the wisdom of the Buddha's assembly as deep and vast. In explaining that the bodhisattvas are formidable, he first explains that the bodhisattvas have all perfected vast virtues, and "how would one dare raise questions before this great assembly?" explains their formidability. In relying on power below, he first relies on the Buddha's power, and subsequently relies on the assembly's power. In the seventh, the questions, verses are spoken before the Buddha, arranged by the compiler of the sūtra. Why request in verses? Verse statements are skillful and concise, able to encompass many meanings in few words; therefore, he requests in verses.