三彌勒經疏 1.12

1.12

As for stating 'Thus' (evaṃ): this is said by the transmitter of the Buddha's teaching. Matters such as these I once heard in the past; therefore one should generate faith. Herein there are four [meanings]: first, relying on simile; second, relying on instruction; third, relying on question and answer; fourth, relying on assent. As for 'relying on simile': the Dharma transmitted and heard like this is just as the Buddha spoke it, definitely without difference, serving as the cause of expedient means for benefit and joy. As for 'relying on instruction': words such as these remotely refer to the Buddha's instruction, and proximately refer to the transmitter of the Dharma's instruction. As for 'relying on question and answer': someone asked, saying, 'What you speak, did you definitely hear it in the past?' Therefore he replied, saying, 'Thus have I heard.' As for 'relying on assent': at the time of the compilation, the assembly of bodhisattvas all together requested, saying, 'Just as you have heard, you should speak thus.' Therefore the transmitter of the Dharma assented, saying, 'Just as I have heard, I shall speak.' In this context, one sūtra says it relies only on assent, and another says it relies only on question and answer. As for the real meaning: when the sūtras say 'Thus', it generally relies on all four meanings. The meaning can be understood by analogy.