大般涅槃經義記 4.262

4.262

就明純陀知法性中，文別有四：一如來問、二純陀答、三如來為辯、第四迦葉領解隨喜。純陀答中，「實爾」總答，下別顯之。於中四句：一見前化佛相好嚴身；二「今悉」下見彼化佛變為菩薩，體貌瓖異，亦可見前人天大眾聞偈發心悉為菩薩；三見釋迦身如藥樹；四見為諸菩薩圍遶。佛為辯中，初明向前所見諸佛是己化作，為益眾生，令喜故為。四明向前所見菩薩行德不思能作佛事，後明純陀所成行位。迦葉喜中，初爾佛語，後明隨喜。

Regarding the explanation of Cunda's realization of the Dharma-nature, the text has four distinct parts: first, the Tathāgata questions; second, Cunda replies; third, the Tathāgata discriminates it for him; fourth, Kāśyapa accepts, understands, and rejoices in accord. In Cunda's reply, "It is indeed so" is the overall answer, and below it is distinguished in detail. Within this there are four clauses: first, seeing the former transformation buddhas' bodies adorned with the marks and signs; second, from "now all" below, seeing those transformation buddhas turn into bodhisattvas whose bodily forms are wondrous and extraordinary—it can also mean seeing the former great assembly of humans and devas who heard the verses and gave rise to the resolve all become bodhisattvas; third, seeing Śākyamuni's body like a medicinal tree; fourth, seeing him surrounded by the bodhisattvas. In the Buddha's discrimination for him, first it is explained that the buddhas seen previously were his own transformations, produced to benefit sentient beings and bring them joy. The fourth explains that the practice and virtues of the bodhisattvas seen previously are inconceivable and able to perform buddha-work; thereafter, the stage of practice attained by Cunda is explained. In Kāśyapa's rejoicing, first he affirms the Buddha's words, and thereafter expresses his rejoicing in accord.