維摩義記 3.18

3.18

In the second section, why does Vimalakīrti teach the correct seeking of the Dharma? Only when one seeks the Dharma with a correct mind will one correspond with the true nature of liberation, and only then can one see and hear what Vimalakīrti manifests; therefore he had to teach it. The text has two [parts]: first, he teaches the correct seeking of the Dharma; second, due to the correct teaching, five hundred devaputras attain the purity of the Dharma-eye. In the former there are three [subsections]: first, "Vimalakīrti knew what was in his mind" and investigated whether Śāriputra came for the sake of the Dharma or sought couches and seats. Second, Śāriputra answered directly: "I came for the Dharma, not for couches and seats." Third, Vimalakīrti, following the answer, taught and rebuked him: "Those who seek the Dharma do not cling even to life and limb, how much less to couches and seats!" This is the word of rebuke; the rest is words of instruction. In this there are three [points]: first, clarifying that seeking the correct Dharma must abandon characteristics; second, from "For what reason?" below, clarifying that grasping at characteristics is not called seeking the Dharma; third, from "Therefore, Śāriputra, if one seeks the Dharma..." below, the concluding exhortation to abandon characteristics. In the former, he first teaches abandoning defiled characteristics, and from "not attached to the Buddha" below he teaches abandoning pure characteristics. When defilement and purity are both abandoned, the mind unites with the principle, which is called seeking the correct Dharma.