大般涅槃經義記 7.20

7.20

問曰：若言起行次第要先自為，何故如來下誡琉璃先為他人，後為自身？釋言：生心、起行各異，若論生心，要先為他，一切所行悲為本故。若論起行，要先自行，後方益他。下就起心，此就起行，故別不同。

Question: If you say that in the sequence of initiating practice one must first act for oneself, why does the Tathāgata below admonish Vaiḍūryaprabha to act first for others and only afterward for himself? Explanation: Giving rise to the intention and initiating practice are distinct. If we speak of giving rise to the intention, one must put others first, because all practices take compassion as their root. If we speak of initiating practice, one must first cultivate oneself, and only afterward bring benefit to others. Below pertains to giving rise to the intention; here it pertains to initiating practice. Hence, they are different.