大般涅槃經義記 7.9

7.9

From here below is the second [section], discriminating where the light comes from. The text has two distinct parts: 1. clarifying that this light emanated from within his equal, real realization; 2. in terms of its transformed mark, clarifying that it came from the eastern direction, from the side of Vaiḍūrya. In the former, first he provisionally lodges in silence to manifest tranquility; from 'at that time the World-Honoured One asked Mañjuśrī' downward, he reveals reality by means of speech. In the former, lodging in silence: First Mañjuśrī asked, and the Buddha remained silent, not answering where the light came from; because tranquility and cessation are beyond words, he manifested it through silence. The Buddha's realization being thoroughly profound, he first manifested it through silence; Mañjuśrī awakened to and understood the meaning of tranquility from the Buddha. Therefore, second, Kāśyapa asked in turn, and Mañjuśrī did not answer; Kāśyapa again awakened and understood from Mañjuśrī. Therefore, third, Boundless asked in turn, and Kāśyapa did not answer; Boundless again awakened and understood from Kāśyapa. Therefore, fourth, King Pure Abiding asked, and Boundless did not answer. The noble assembly shared the same realization; therefore, even up to five hundred asking one another, all remained silent and did not answer.