大般涅槃經義記 6.185

6.185

僧中，初問，次辯，後結。辯中，初言「諸佛聖僧如法而住」總顯其相。諸佛方始，僧行究竟，故亦名僧。下別顯之，「受正直法」起行之始，「隨順修行」起行之次，「不可覩」等明修成相，先明德體，「一切生」下辯其德相，一切眾生良祐福田利他德勝，「雖為」已下自德殊勝。

In Sangha, first is a question, next an analysis, and then a conclusion. In the analysis, first stating 'the noble Sangha of the buddhas abides in accordance with the Dharma' comprehensively reveals its characteristics. The buddhas are the beginning, while the Sangha's practice is the consummation; therefore it is also called Sangha. Below, it reveals them distinctively: 'receiving the upright Dharma' is the beginning of giving rise to practice; 'practicing in accordance' is the sequence of giving rise to practice; 'invisible' and so forth clarify the marks of the completion of cultivation: first clarifying the essence of virtue, and from 'all sentient beings' onward analyzing the marks of its virtue—being a fertile field of merit for all sentient beings, its virtue of benefiting others is superior; from 'although being' onward, its virtue for oneself is exceedingly superior.