三彌勒經疏 1.84

1.84

Question: Why are these seven-treasure seats called lion thrones? Answer: The Da zhidu lun says: "The Buddha is the lion among men; wherever the Buddha sits, whether a couch or the ground, it is called a lion throne." The Avadānasūtra says: "Five hundred lions heard that the Buddha had appeared in the world to transform sentient beings and thought, 'What shall we eat?' Harboring malice in their minds, they went intending to harm the Buddha. The Buddha manifested an exquisitely marvelous seat and sat upon the heads of the lions. When the crowd saw this, they called it a lion throne." "Four yojanas high" signifies the four virtues. The "four corners" signify being endowed internally with the four immeasurables. The "four lotus flowers" signify blue lotuses emerging externally.