維摩義記 1.48

1.48

From here below is the second [division]: the Tathāgata praises the question, enjoins them to listen, and grants permission to expound. First he praises, next he enjoins, and finally he grants permission to expound. In the praise, 'Excellent!' is a general praise. 'Excellent' (善) means good; the matter requested is good. '!' (哉) is an auxiliary particle. 'That you are able, on behalf of the bodhisattvas, to ask...', and so forth, brings out the good matter. 'That you are able' (乃) is an expression of rare pre-eminence. Immeasurable sentient beings are all unable to ask; only when it comes to you are you capable of it; hence it says 'that you are able'. In the previous two lines, the praise is based on the latter [part of the request], which is why it speaks one-sidedly of asking about the pure land practices on behalf of the bodhisattvas. If based on the former line, it should have said 'that you are able to wish to hear about attaining the purity of the Buddha's country', but this is omitted. 'Listen attentively and reflect well' are words of injunction and admonition. 'Attentively' means carefully and thoroughly; 'well' means minutely and skillfully. Listening attentively, one attains hearing; reflecting well, one attains the meaning; therefore he enjoins both together. Mindfully being able to retain the words and meanings without losing them, he therefore additionally instructs mindfulness. He grants permission to expound for them.