大般涅槃經義記 1.19

1.19

Third, clarifying the broad and narrow scopes of their names: Broadly speaking, both prefaces are named faith-attesting and both are termed initiating; the intent of establishing a preface is in each case to generate faith, hence they are broadly named faith-attesting, and as both serve to initiate, they are alike termed initiating. Now, in order to differentiate the two prefaces, the Tathāgata's preface is exclusively named initiating, and Ānanda's preface is exclusively termed faith-attesting. Both being distinct prefaces, they are designated according to convenience. What is the meaning of convenience? Ānanda is a lesser sage; fearing that people would slight or slander, the intent of establishing his preface was specifically to generate faith; therefore, the present commentator, looking to his original intent, names Ānanda's preface faith-attesting. The Tathāgata is a great sage whom all revere and trust; the intent of establishing his preface was mostly to initiate, not specifically for the sake of faith; therefore, the present commentator, looking to his original intent, speaks of it as initiating.