大般涅槃經疏 1.31

1.31

大者，歎德也。《釋論》云「摩訶者，翻大、多、勝。天王大人之所恭敬故言大，通四韋陀三藏故言多，勝九十五種故言勝。」此依三藏釋也。賢聖之所恭敬故言大，通達析體法門故言多，勝析法心慧兩種解脫故言勝，此依通教釋也。學無學人之所恭敬故言大，通達大小法門故言多，出過聲聞辟支佛上故言勝，此依別教釋也。七種方便之所恭敬故言大，通達權實法門故言多，於畢定眾而作上首故言勝，此依圓教釋也。大權開顯如前。

'Great' is the praise of their virtue. The Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa says: 'Mahā translates as great, numerous, and superior. Being reverenced by heavenly kings and great persons, it is called great; being conversant with the four Vedas and the three pitakas, it is called numerous; surpassing the ninety-five kinds [of heterodox views], it is called superior.' This is an explanation according to the Tripiṭaka teaching. Being reverenced by the worthy and noble ones, it is called great; penetrating the dharma-gates of analytical and phenomenological [emptiness], it is called numerous; surpassing the two liberations of mind and wisdom through the analysis of phenomena, it is called superior—this is an explanation according to the Shared Teaching. Being reverenced by those in training and those beyond training, it is called great; penetrating the great and small dharma-gates, it is called numerous; surpassing śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas, it is called superior—this is an explanation according to the Distinct Teaching. Being reverenced by the seven expedients, it is called great; penetrating the provisional and real dharma-gates, it is called numerous; serving as leaders among the definitely determined assembly, it is called superior—this is an explanation according to the Perfect Teaching. The great provisional manifestations and definitive revelation are as before.