大般涅槃經疏 13.4

13.4

The six-fascicle [version] calls it the "Chapter on Rejoicing in Accordance," and ancient texts call it the "Chapter on Sorrow, Grief, Lamentation, and Eulogies."
The six-fascicle [version] takes Kāśyapa seeing Cunda cultivate and accomplish the bodhisattva path and [saying] "I too rejoice in accordance"; the ancient texts take the Buddha accepting Cunda's offering and then entering nirvāṇa with sorrow, grief, lamentation, and eulogies.
Now, what meaning is taken to entitle the chapter?
There are two explanations: In the text, there are actually no words of mutual questioning by the great assembly, nor the event of the great assembly questioning the Buddha; there is only the transformed Buddha accepting the offerings of the great assembly, which serves as the object of inquiry by the great assembly.
Secondly, it is said: "The Tathāgata today, having accepted our offerings, will enter nirvāṇa; whom shall we further make offerings to?" This is the great assembly mutually consoling and inquiring of one another.
Master Guān said: Kāśyapa raised questions originally on behalf of the great assembly; the Buddha is the one questioned. Both the inquirer and the questioned direct their intent toward this chapter, deriving its name from this; hence it is called the "Chapter on the Questions Asked by the Great Assembly."
Now we clarify that although the text does not record the phrasing of the question, the question is revealed on the basis of the answer. Above, eternal abiding and changelessness were explained; now, the characteristics of nirvāṇa are manifested. Since the characteristics and the teaching are contrary, the assembly questioned this meaning; the Buddha answered with verses [explaining that he is] ultimately eternally abiding and does not enter nirvāṇa. The question is revealed from the answer; therefore it is called the "Chapter on the Questions of the Great Assembly."