維摩義記 1.67

1.67

From here below is the third part: occupying the superior position to gather in those below. There are eleven lines; the first eight concern the venerable among humans, and the latter three concern the venerable among gods. Among all the higher stages in the six destinies, those in the human and celestial realms gain the greatest benefit, which is why they are specifically brought up. Among humans, the first says: "Among elders, he was the most venerable, expounding the superior Dharma." Generally, elders are those whom many people consult and rely on, so he had to teach them the superior Dharma. "Among householders, he was the most venerable, cutting off greedy attachment." Householders are of two kinds: first, those who accumulate ample property and live by wealth are called householders; second, those who cultivate the path at home, being religious practitioners who remain in the household, are called householders. Now, based on the first category, they possess much greed for wealth, and therefore he taught them to cut off greed. "Among kṣatriyas, he was the most venerable, teaching forbearance." The kṣatriya royal clan enjoys sovereign power that is difficult to curb; hence he had to teach forbearance. "Among brāhmaṇas, he was the most venerable, eliminating self-conceit." They are often erudite and given to arrogance and haughtiness, so he taught them to eliminate this. "Among ministers, he was the most venerable, teaching the correct law." Ministers and officials govern the populace and are prone to imposing harsh punishments, so he had to teach them the correct law. "Among princes, he was the most venerable, showing loyalty and filial piety." A prince is both a subject and a son to his father: as a subject he must be loyal, and as a son he ought to be filial; this is why he instructed them. Princes covet rank and are prone to acts of rebellion and harm, which is why he taught loyalty and filial piety. "Among inner palace officials, he was the most venerable, transforming the court ladies." The inner bureau's eunuchs who oversee the resident palace women are easy to transform through Dharma, so he instructed them in rectitude. "Among the common people, he was the most venerable, inspiring them to generate merit." The ordinary masses have meager merit, so he had to instruct and guide them, inspiring them to cultivate meritorious deeds. Below are the venerable ones among gods. "Among the Brahmā gods, he was the most venerable, instructing them in superior wisdom." The Brahmā gods mostly delight in practicing dhyāna and do not cultivate the noble path, so he had to teach them superior wisdom. "Among Śakra gods, he was the most venerable, showing impermanence." They have great attachment to desires, so he had to demonstrate impermanence to evoke disgust and renunciation in them. "Among world-guardians, he was the most venerable, protecting sentient beings." The Four Heavenly Kings defend and protect the world, not allowing ghosts and spirits to wrongly harm people; thus they are named the world-guarding kings. Vimalakīrti was among them, constantly protecting sentient beings. The gods are limitless; these are cited as examples for now. The above specifically praises him. "Through such boundless upāya, he benefited sentient beings" concludes the praise overall. The above is the second section, praising the virtue of his teaching.