維摩義記 4.82

4.82

From "The Buddha told Śāriputra: 'Do you see Abhirati and the Buddha Akṣobhya...'" onward, it generally clarifies the propagation. The propagation has two parts: first is the propagation of exhorting study and cultivation; second, from "Entrustment" onward, clarifies the propagation of entrusting and transmitting the teaching. When people practice, the Dharma abides; therefore one must exhort study. When the teaching is transmitted, the Dharma flows; therefore it must be entrusted. In the previous exhortation to study, according to the persons it is divided into three: 1. Śāriputra exhorts study; 2. at the beginning of the 'Dharma Offering' chapter, Śakra exhorts study; 3. at the end of the 'Dharma Offering' chapter, the Tathāgata exhorts study. Since Śāriputra's exhorting study is propagation, why is it expounded in this chapter? It is explained: Because the Buddha asked whether he saw Abhirati or not, Śāriputra replied that he saw it, and thereupon aroused vows and rejoiced in congratulating himself, taking the opportunity to exhort others to learn; therefore it is discussed here. In the first [part] there are two: 1. "The Buddha said: 'Śāriputra, do you see Abhirati and the Buddha Akṣobhya or not?'" 2. From "Śāriputra..." onward is the reply. The reply has four phrases: 1. Revealing that he has already seen it, hence he says "Indeed." 2. From "May..." onward, relying on seeing, he arouses a vow: "May all sentient beings attain a pure land like the Buddha Akṣobhya and obtain supernatural power like Vimalakīrti." 3. From "We are truly fortunate..." onward, he rejoices in what he has attained. First saying "We have truly gained fine benefit" is words of joyful celebration. "Being able to see this person, draw near, and make offerings" presents the matter rejoiced in. 4. From "Those sentient beings, whether now present..." onward directly exhorts practice and study. Within this are seven phrases: "Those sentient beings, whether now present or after the Buddha's extinction, who hear this sūtra will also gain fine benefit; how much more so those who, having heard it, believe, understand, receive..." and so forth is the first phrase, clarifying the benefit of those who hear. Gaining benefit equal to oneself, it is therefore said "will also gain." It is also possible that this phrase raises the inferior to manifest the superior, clarifying the benefit of cultivation. From "If anyone obtains this classic with their own hands..." onward is the second phrase, clarifying the benefit of obtaining the sūtra. From "If anyone recites, reads, and explains..." onward is the third phrase, clarifying the benefits of reciting, reading, explaining, and so forth. "Being protected and remembered by the Buddha" is that benefit. From "Whoever makes offerings to such a person..." onward is the fourth phrase, clarifying the benefit of making offerings to Vimalakīrti. Truly because Vimalakīrti's essence is identical with the Buddha, making offerings to Vimalakīrti is making offerings to the Buddha. It is also possible that making offerings to the aforementioned people who recite and read is making offerings to the Buddha, because they transmit the Buddha's Dharma. From "Whoever copies..." onward is the fifth phrase, clarifying the benefit of copying the sūtra scrolls. Because this clarifies the Buddha's dharmakāya, the room where the sūtra is copied has the Tathāgata. From "If one hears this sūtra and can rejoice in accord..." onward is the sixth phrase, the benefit of rejoicing in accord. Hearing the sūtra and rejoicing in accord, one is not far from attaining Buddhahood; therefore it is called "taking up all-knowledge." From "If one can faithfully understand this sūtra..." onward is the seventh phrase, clarifying the benefit of expounding it for the sake of transforming [others]. "Faithfully understanding this sūtra and even expounding a single four-line verse for others, one should know that this person receives the prediction of bodhi," because that person will definitely become a Buddha. If even one gāthā is like this, how much more so the entire [sūtra]!