維摩義記 4.21

4.21

From here below is the third [part], where Mañjuśrī asks and Vimalakīrti reveals [it] through silence. Therein, Mañjuśrī first initiates the question, Vimalakīrti next is silent, and below "Mañjuśrī," there is another praise to reveal it. In the first part, "Mañjuśrī" identifies the questioner. "Asked Vimalakīrti" addresses the one asked. "We have each spoken" concludes what precedes and introduces what follows. From "Humane Sir, you should state what is..." down, the question is formally presented. Next, Vimalakīrti reveals it through silence. Vimalakīrti has exhaustively realized the reality of non-duality; at the locus of the real, feelings vanish and speech is completely absent, so he reveals it through silence. Moreover, previously Mañjuśrī aimed at the Way by countering words, which was not as profound as Vimalakīrti's profound silence that discards seeking. Extinguishing words is itself the Way, so he is silent and does not speak. The wordless Way cannot be fathomed through words; wishing to make those who speak cease their words and unite in harmony, below Mañjuśrī praises it to reveal it. "Mañjuśrī praised him, saying" identifies it in general. "Excellent, excellent!" is precisely the words of praise. Extinguishing words and entering reality reveals the principle most supremely, hence it is called "excellent." "Zai" is a particle of exclamation. As the pinnacle of goodness, he repeats the word to praise its excellence. From "Down to there being no written characters or words" down, he brings out its excellent quality. Transcending words to arrive at silence, it therefore says "down to." Wordlessness is itself the Way, and the Way cuts off verbal counterparts; therefore it is called "truly entering non-duality." Above is the first [part], explaining the entrance into non-duality; below explains the benefit of the preaching: five thousand bodhisattvas all entered non-duality and attained the forbearance of the non-arising of dharmas.