大般涅槃經義記 4.211

4.211

In the first section, "Now this Cunda still has doubts" generally states his doubt. From what did the doubt arise? It arose from the Buddha's earlier answers to the five difficulties. The Buddha had answered earlier that not having seen buddha-nature is called having an impermanent body, a body of coarse food, and so forth, whereas the Tathāgata has already seen buddha-nature for immeasurable kalpas. When Cunda earlier returned home to prepare the offering, he contemplated on the way that if the Tathāgata's permanent abiding is due to the power of knowing and seeing buddha-nature, then before immeasurable kalpas when he had not yet seen the nature, he ought to have been impermanent; and if he was originally impermanent, he ought to be so later as well. Thus this doubt arose. In contrast to the five difficulties above, it is said that he "still has" doubts. Why did Cunda not request a decision himself, but had Mañjuśrī ask? Mañjuśrī is Cunda's guide and leader; knowing his doubt and requesting [an explanation] on his behalf was precisely appropriate, so why should it be surprising? Just as in the *Daśabhūmika Sūtra*, the leader of the liberated assembly knew the deep doubts of the multitude and made a request in verse on their behalf, it is similar to that here. "We only pray that you analyze and explain it" requests the Buddha to explain and resolve it.