維摩義記 2.37

2.37

「菩薩品」者，前品告命聲聞問疾，彼辭不堪，今告菩薩。即就所告以題章目，名菩薩品。來意略有三義：一前品告命聲聞問疾，彼辭不堪，須告菩薩，故此品來。第二為顯維摩德高，故此品來。是義云何？前品告命聲聞問疾，彰彼維摩德過二乘；此品告命菩薩問疾，顯彼維摩勝諸菩薩。第三為彰維摩所說，故此品來。是義云何？前〈方便品〉因凡問疾，廣明維摩教凡夫法；上〈弟子品〉因告聲聞，廣明維摩教聲聞法；今此品中因告菩薩，復明維摩教菩薩法，名顯所說。

As for the 'Bodhisattva Chapter', the previous chapter commanded the śrāvakas to inquire after the illness, but they declined as not being equal to it; now [the Buddha] addresses the bodhisattvas. Thus, taking what was addressed as the chapter heading, it is named the 'Bodhisattva Chapter.' The intention behind its coming broadly comprises three meanings: First, the previous chapter commanded the śrāvakas to inquire after the illness, and they declined as not being equal to it, so it was necessary to address the bodhisattvas; thus this chapter comes. Second, it comes in order to make manifest the loftiness of Vimalakīrti's virtues. What does this mean? The previous chapter commanded the śrāvakas to inquire after the illness, manifesting that Vimalakīrti's virtues surpassed the two vehicles; this chapter commands the bodhisattvas to inquire after the illness, manifesting that Vimalakīrti surpasses all bodhisattvas. Third, it comes in order to make manifest what was expounded by Vimalakīrti. What does this mean? The earlier 'Upāya Chapter', on the occasion of worldly people inquiring after the illness, extensively explained Vimalakīrti's teachings for ordinary beings; the preceding 'Disciples Chapter', on the occasion of addressing the śrāvakas, extensively explained Vimalakīrti's teachings for śrāvakas; now, in this chapter, on the occasion of addressing the bodhisattvas, it again explains Vimalakīrti's teachings for bodhisattvas; this is called making manifest what was expounded.