維摩義記 1.14

1.14

問曰：初會云何為序？此義似前。因其初會大眾雲集，如來告命令往問疾，廣顯維摩一世所說，故得為序。第二品初列人歎德，起後所說，故亦名序。

Question: How can the first assembly serve as the prologue? [Answer:] This meaning is similar to the previous one. Because in the first assembly the great assembly gathered like clouds, and the Tathāgata issued an instruction ordering them to go inquire about his illness, broadly revealing what Vimalakīrti expounded throughout his life, it can therefore serve as a prologue. The beginning of the second chapter lists the persons and praises their virtues to give rise to what is expounded subsequently; hence it is also called a prologue.