維摩義記 3.76

3.76

From here below, the third part clarifies his practice of gathering beings through skillful means. Within this there are ten verses, which fall into four groups: the first four verses concern his own actions to benefit sentient beings; the next three verses concern acting in accord with others' differences; the next one verse concerns his own actions to benefit sentient beings; the final two verses concern acting in accord with others' differences. Within the first four verses on his own actions, the first two verses are manifestations of chaotic conduct. “Practicing dhyāna amidst desires”: within this, first is the dharma, next is the metaphor, and last is the application, all of which are evident from the text. The third single verse is the manifestation of perverse conduct: “Manifesting as a courtesan to attract those fond of sensual beauty, first enticing them with desire, later causing them to enter the Dharma.” The fourth single verse is the manifestation of compliant conduct: “Or becoming a village chief, or acting as a merchant guide, a national master, or a great minister, through these blessings and aids benefiting sentient beings.” This concludes the first section. Within the next three verses on acting in accord with others: the first verse, “For the poor, acting as an inexhaustible treasury,” provides them with wealth and material goods. Within this, the first half directly clarifies what is done, and the latter half is gathering and benefiting. The middle one verse, “For those who are arrogant, manifesting great power to subdue them”: within this, the first half directly clarifies what is done, and the latter half is gathering and benefiting. The final one verse, “For those who are terrified,” manifests reassuring them. Within this, the first half directly clarifies what is done, and the latter half is gathering and benefiting. This concludes the second. Next, the single verse within his own actions, “Manifesting as a five-power ṛṣi free from sensual desire,” directly clarifies what is done, and the lower half is transforming and benefiting. In the final two verses on acting in accord with others, the former verse is bodily benefit, manifesting as a servant boy, and the latter verse is material benefit, providing whatever is needed. In total, the above comprises thirty-nine verses, which separately answer the questions in turn.