三彌勒經疏 1.179

1.179

經曰「爾時世尊告」以下，第二正答神變。此中三：初佛以法衣授於迦葉、次迦葉領衣入狼迹山、後迦葉衣上彌勒。是初也。向八十餘者，若上經為例者，即有二義：若維摩在初年中，說此經者年唯三十八，云何可言向八十餘？若說般若在終年中，說此經者年三十七，亦不可言年向八十餘。今云雖無聖說明文，而此經者在《上生經》前說。若不爾，《上生經》指《下生經語》。又阿難初生即佛成道日，二十五年方作侍者，而在此會請問，明知若五十年、若五十五後時說此經也。何故偏勸四聲聞者，迦葉頭陀行中能苦行故。若屠鉢歎者，能降伏外道故。賓頭盧者，不毀禁戒故。羅云者，讀誦不懈故。若《大成佛經》云勸者有二，謂衣及法。今此經略而不說也。由我遺化得盡漏者，勸迦葉助彌勒化，我遺晚機弟子也。

From the sūtra saying "At that time, the World-Honoured One addressed..." onward is the second part, directly replying regarding the miraculous transformations. Here there are three parts: first, the Buddha confers the Dharma robe on Kāśyapa; second, Kāśyapa takes the robe and enters Mount Kukkuṭapāda; third, Kāśyapa offers the robe to Maitreya. This is the first part. Regarding "approaching over eighty years of age": if we take the Ascent Sūtra as an analogy, there are two interpretations. If the Vimalakīrti[-nirdeśa] took place in the early years, when this sūtra was spoken the Buddha would have been only thirty-eight; how could one say "approaching over eighty"? If the Prajñā[-pāramitā] was spoken in the final years, when this sūtra was spoken he would have been thirty-seven, and likewise one could not say "approaching over eighty." Now it is stated: although there is no explicit text of the noble teachings, this sūtra was spoken before the Ascent Sūtra. If that were not so, the Ascent Sūtra would not refer to the words of the Descent Sūtra. Moreover, Ānanda was born on the very day the Buddha attained enlightenment, served as attendant only after twenty-five years, and was present in this assembly asking questions; thus it is clearly known that this sūtra was spoken either fifty years or fifty-five years later. Why did he exclusively encourage the four śrāvakas? Because Kāśyapa was capable of ascetic practices among dhūta observances; because Tubohtan (Tuḍbhata?) was able to subdue non-Buddhists; because Piṇḍola did not violate the prohibitive precepts; and because Rāhula recited and chanted without laxity. In the Great Attainment of Buddhahood Sūtra, it says that there are two things encouraged: robes and Dharma. This sūtra abbreviates and does not speak of them. "Through my remaining teaching they attain the destruction of outflows" means encouraging Kāśyapa to assist Maitreya's transformation of those disciples with delayed capacities left behind by me.