維摩義記 3.5

3.5

問曰：文殊今來問病，慰喻之儀應當自出，何故請問維摩慰法？釋言：文殊今來問者問維摩病，前具問竟。不問維摩所化者疾，維摩所化慰喻之法唯在維摩，故今問其慰喻之法，令人習學慰喻病者。

Question: Mañjuśrī has now come to inquire after the illness; the etiquette of consoling and comforting should naturally issue from himself. Why does he inquire of Vimalakīrti about the method of consoling? Explanation: Mañjuśrī's coming to inquire now was to inquire after Vimalakīrti's illness, which was already fully asked about earlier. He was not inquiring after the sickness of those whom Vimalakīrti transforms. The method of consoling those transformed by Vimalakīrti lies solely with Vimalakīrti; therefore, he now asks about his method of consoling, so that people may learn to console the sick.