觀彌勒上生兜率天經贊 2.3

2.3

The Commentary says: Above, the section on the causal arising of the teaching of the sūtra was explained; below, the section on making the request for extensive exposition is explained. Bestowing a prediction upon one bound to one last birth is no minor matter; displaying signs to encourage rebirth and adorn the causes is truly weighty. If it were taught without a request, the marks of succession to Buddhahood in the next birth would not be honored; if spoken spontaneously without a request, the mind of rejoicing in future birth would not be earnest. Therefore, he emitted light and gathered the assembly, universally summoning those with affinity, relying on a request to preach the sūtra to cause weighty karma to arise. Within this there are two: first, discerning the external fruits; second, discerning the internal fruits. Discerning the external fruits is further divided into three: first, Upāli's entreaty; next, the World-Honoured One's extensive answer; afterwards, from 'The Buddha told Upāli: If there are bhikṣus and all the great assembly' downward, concluding by encouraging rebirth there. Within the entreaty there are two: first, explaining the protocol of entreaty; second, explaining presenting the entreaty. This is the first. In Sanskrit it is Upāli, here called 'close attendant'. When the Buddha was a prince, he was the Buddha's minister, an attendant who managed affairs close to the prince. Ancient figures called him 'the Buddha's servant', which is incorrect. Currently rendered Youboli, which is corrupt. 'Also arose from his seat': having seen Maitreya stand in his position, Upāli followed with this entreaty; therefore it says 'also', representing that upon hearing the matters of Maitreya one shall realize bodhi. 'Arose from his seat, bowed his head to the ground in homage': bowing one's honorable head to pay homage to the Buddha's humble feet expresses profound single-minded reverence; arrogance having long been removed, it manifests the honorable cause of attaining Buddhahood, the wonderful karma of the mark of the invisible crown of the head.