維摩義記 2.65

2.65

Next, [the Buddha] addresses Śāntamati, ordering him to go and inquire about the illness. The previous addresses to the two individuals explained the practice of benefiting oneself; this one explains benefiting others. First there is the command, and afterwards the declining. In the declining, it is first general; from "why" onward it explains; from "therefore I..." onward it concludes. In the explanation, "why" questions the preceding and introduces what follows. Below, it responds with an explanation, and the text has two distinct parts: first, citing the cause and conditions of being rebuked in the past; second, from "At that time Vimalakīrti..." onward, setting forth the words of instruction and rebuke. In the first part, the initial words "I recall that formerly in the past" clarify the time of being rebuked. "At my father's house" brings out the place of being rebuked. "Arranging a great gathering for giving..." and so forth manifests the matter of being rebuked. Because the giving was limited and restricted, he was therefore rebuked. "Formerly at my father's house" clarifies the limitation of place. "Arranging a great assembly for giving, making offerings to all... down to beggars" clarifies the limitation of cause: here he offered only to seven classes of people and did not extend to the rest, which is why it was limited. "For a period of seven days" clarifies the limitation of time. Because it was limited, he was rebuked.