維摩義記 2.60

2.60

問曰：直爾化之足得，何勞從魔索得方化？女性從主，若不索取，制仰從魔，難以攝化，故須索取然後教法。

Question: If he had simply transformed them directly, that would have been sufficient; why go to the trouble of demanding them from Māra and only then transforming them? [Answer:] A woman's nature follows her master. If he did not demand them, they would be constrained by and dependent on Māra, and it would be difficult to gather and transform them; therefore he had to demand them first and teach them the Dharma afterward.