大般涅槃經義記 1.64

1.64

As for 'mahāsattva', translated here it means 'great'. There are three kinds of greatness, as explained in the *Daśabhūmikā-śāstra*: first, greatness of vow, aspiring to great bodhi; second, greatness of practice, extensively gathering all perfections; third, greatness of benefiting sentient beings, benefiting them through the four means of embrace and so forth. From 'dragons among men' onward is the second part, briefly praising: first praising their own virtues, and 'provisionally manifesting bodies' praises the virtue of benefiting others. Third, listing names: the distinct names can be known. From 'their minds all' onward is the fourth part, broadly praising. In the broad praise, first comes the specific, and from 'accomplishing such' onward is the concluding general praise. In the specific, their merits across the three times are praised: first praising present virtues, next past, and then future; within these three times, both the virtues of self-benefit and benefiting others are praised. In the present, first their own virtues are praised; there are five distinct phrases: the first four gather the Dharma, and the latter one protects the Dharma. Among the first four, 'revering the Mahāyāna' is the beginning of one's own share. 'Vehicle' is the function of that practice: practice can transport and convey through, so it is named a vehicle. There are three distinct vehicles: namely, śrāvaka, pratyekabuddha, and the Buddha vehicle. What all buddhas ride, the former two cannot match, hence it is called 'great'. 'Peacefully abiding in the Mahāyāna' is the completion of one's own share: cultivating to accomplishment without regressing, hence it says 'peacefully abiding'. 'Deeply understanding the Mahāyāna' is the beginning of superior progression: clearly contemplating what has not yet been cultivated, hence it says 'deeply understanding'. 'Delighting in the Mahāyāna' is the completion of superior progression: taking joy in and desiring to cultivate what was previously understood. The above is gathering the Dharma. 'Protecting the Mahāyāna' is the practice of protecting the Dharma: not letting others slander and destroy it, hence it says 'protecting'; this meaning is broadly distinguished below in the 'Chapter on the Adamantine Body'. The above praises their own virtues.