維摩義記 4.37

4.37

In the text there are five parts: first, the bodhisattvas of Sarvagandhasugandhā see the emanation and raise a question, and that Buddha answers in full; second, the bodhisattvas inquire closely how Vimalakīrti as a person could produce such an emanation, and that Buddha answers in full; third, that Tathāgata fills a bowl with fragrant rice and gives it to the emanation bodhisattva; fourth, the bodhisattvas of Sarvagandhasugandhā request to come here, and that Buddha gives his permission; fifth, from "Then the emanation bodhisattva, having received the bowl" onward, the emanation and that assembly arrive here relying on divine power. In the first part, there is first the question, and that Buddha replies. In the question, first saying "those great beings" introduces those capable of questioning. "Saw the emanation bodhisattva" reveals what they beheld. "Praised it as unprecedented" expresses admiration for its exalted excellence. Below is the question proper. "From where has this superior person come?" asks about his origin. "Where is the Sahā world located?" asks about its direction and place. The words "What is meant by 'those who delight in a lesser Dharma'?" ask about their activity. In that land there is no Hīnayāna; hence they ask this. Because the emanation bodhisattva had previously requested from that Buddha, wishing to perform Buddha-work in the Sahā [world] and cause those who delight in the lesser to expand the Great Path, he therefore raised this question. "Directly asked the Buddha" means requesting the Sage to discern and reply. Below, the Buddha answers them. "The Buddha told them" generally introduces the words of reply. "Passing downward..." and so forth separately answer according to the questions. Therein, from the beginning up to "the realm is named Sahā" answers the question above about where the Sahā world is located. Sahā is a Central Asian word, here translated as "Endurance" (ren). The Karuṇāpuṇḍarīka Sūtra explains: the sentient beings of this land endure the three poisons and all defilements; the land takes its name from the people, and so is named Endurance. "The Buddha is named Śākyamuni; in the world of five defilements, he expounds the teaching of the Path for sentient beings who delight in the lesser" answers the question above about what is meant by those who delight in a lesser Dharma. Sentient beings in the evil world of the five defilements converted by that Buddha who delight in the lesser are called "those who delight in the lesser." From "There is a bodhisattva named Vimalakīrti" onward answers the question above about where this superior person has come from, explaining that this emanated person was sent by Vimalakīrti. First he lists Vimalakīrti's dwelling in the inconceivable, discerning what he has attained. "Preaches for the bodhisattvas" clarifies what he does. "Therefore sent an emanation to come" reveals what he sent. "Extolling my name and praising this land, causing those bodhisattvas to increase their merit" clarifies the purpose of sending him: to cause them to admire and seek it is called increasing merit. Next, the second part: those bodhisattvas inquire closely to determine about Vimalakīrti. "What kind of person is he that he could produce such an emanation?" asks about the person. "Whose virtue, power, fearlessness, and supernatural footing are like this?" asks about his virtues. Below, the Buddha answers them. "The Buddha said: 'Extremely great'" expresses admiration for the height of the person, responding to their first question. "Sends emanations to all the ten directions" praises the vastness of his emanations, responding to their subsequent question. Third: that Buddha fills a bowl of varied fragrances with fragrant rice and bestows it on the emanation bodhisattva. The text is clear and can be understood. Next, the fourth part: the bodhisattvas of Sarvagandhasugandhā request the Buddha to come here, and that Buddha gives his permission. Within the permission, there is first the request: first, listing those who request; "Together raised their voices..." and so forth utter the words of the request proper; "To make offerings to Śākyamuni and see Vimalakīrti..." and so forth reveal the purpose of the request. Below, the Buddha grants permission. "You may go" gives permission to go. Below are the admonitions: first admonishing their bodies, and next admonishing their minds. Regarding the body there are two: first, instructing them to restrain their bodily fragrance. From "Do not cause..." onward clarifies the purpose of the instruction: if those [here] see it and become tainted, that is called giving rise to delusion and attachment. Second, instructing them to abandon their original form. From "Do not cause..." onward clarifies the purpose of the instruction: beholding what is superior and retreating into inferiority is called self-deprecation and shame. In the admonition regarding the mind: "Furthermore, you must not harbor contempt toward them and form notions of impediment" directly exhorts them to abandon faults. Not being contemptuous toward people, not creating impediments regarding uprightness, and fearing so as not to enter are called notions of impediment. From "Wherefore?" onward explains it: first inquiring, then resolving. "The ten directions are like empty space" clarifies that the land is actually pure. The land and the rest are like empty space, not nonexistent like empty space. "Furthermore, in order to transform the lesser, he does not fully manifest purity" clarifies that for conversion he manifests impurity. It can also be: the ten directions being all like empty space clarifies its nature as pure; the Buddha, in order to convert the lesser, not fully manifesting purity clarifies the retribution as pure. That land is actually pure, but for conversion it is not manifested; therefore do not be contemptuous and form notions of impediment. Next, the fifth part: the emanation and that assembly arrive here relying on divine power. "Then the emanation bodhisattva, having received the bowl of rice" means what was sought was fulfilled. "Together with nine million" means what was gathered accorded with his intention. "Both relying on the Buddha's majesty and Vimalakīrti's power" clarifies what their coming depended upon. Distinguishing between them: the bodhisattvas of Sarvagandhasugandhā relied on that Buddha's majesty, while the emanation bodhisattva relied on Vimalakīrti's power; taken together, the meaning applies to both. "Suddenly disappeared from that world" indicates the swiftness of their departure. "In an instant arrived at Vimalakīrti's house" indicates the rapidness of their arrival. Relying on the Sage's power, they therefore disappeared there and arrived here in an instant. That [phrase] reveals "suddenly"; this says "in an instant"—these are simply two sides of the same coin. The five sections above together make up the second [major division].