三彌勒經疏 1.96

1.96

From the text of the sūtra where it says, "In the country of Vārāṇasī" onwards, this is the second [section], [explaining] the place of his decease. "Vārāṇasī" is translated here as "City Encircled by the River." "Kāpālika" is translated here as "Skull-Holding Demon." "Bāvari" is translated here as "Great Protector." These, then, are the original country, original village, and original name, designating the place of birth; this is like Śākyamuni being born in Kapilavastu. But that he passed into extinction in the city of Kuśinagara was to signify that defilement here was ended. That Maitreya passed away by shedding his body in his original place was to signify that defilement here was not yet ended and that he would return to be born. The teachings regarding Maitreya's birthplace differ: the *Gaṇḍavyūha Chapter* of the *Avataṃsaka Sūtra* says: "The Bodhisattva Maitreya said to the youth Sudhana: 'I was born in a Brahmin household in the village of Kuṭī in the kingdom of Malaya, on the southern border of Jambudvīpa; to extinguish their pride and to convert and liberate my parents and relatives, I shall pass away from here and be born in Tuṣita.'" The sixth fascicle of the *Damamūka-nidāna Sūtra* says: "The king of Vārāṇasī was named Brahmadatta. His chief minister had a male child born to him, who possessed the thirty-two marks and all the minor marks. The chief minister rejoiced exceedingly and summoned a physiognomist. The physiognomist said: 'He has the marks of great virtue.' When the king heard this, he worried, 'He will certainly usurp my throne,' and wanted to kill his son. But the chief minister secretly sent him to Bāvari to be raised." Now this sūtra differs from those two sūtras; how can they be reconciled? The answer is: the *Damamūka-nidāna Sūtra* and the *Ascent Sūtra* have different words but the same meaning. Why so? The *Damamūka-nidāna Sūtra* clarifies his birth by referring to his father, but does not specify the place of birth. Now the *Ascent Sūtra* points directly to the place of birth, because according to the custom of that country, once a woman became pregnant she returned to her original home. The original [home] was indeed the village of Kāpālikā. As for the *Avataṃsaka Sūtra*, because it is based on a different account, one cannot judge definitively. This means that the Great Sage conforms to faculties, so different births are perceived. Another view says: the *Avataṃsaka Sūtra* points to the place where he was raised. Master Ji says: "The *Damamūka-nidāna Sūtra* indicates the place of birth, and the *Ascent Sūtra* points to the place where he was raised."