維摩義記 3.3

3.3

問曰：眾生病來無始，維摩悲病聖來始有，云何得隨眾生之病而說久近？釋言：此隨一切眾生所有因果分分說之，不言從於無始已來常起悲病。如緣一人受地獄苦而起悲心，從造因來維摩恒愁，乃至受果，餘亦如是。

Question: Sentient beings' illness has had no beginning, whereas Vimalakīrti's illness of compassion only began when he became a noble one. How can he speak of its duration in accordance with the illness of sentient beings? Explanation: This is spoken of portion by portion in accordance with all the causes and fruits possessed by sentient beings; it does not say that he has constantly generated the illness of compassion from beginninglessness onwards. For example, conditions concerning one person suffering the pains of hell give rise to a compassionate mind, and ever since that person created the cause, Vimalakīrti has constantly sorrowed, up to the point of that person receiving the fruit; the rest are also like this.