維摩經略疏 10.21

10.21

「菩薩行品」者，此中〈香積〉來者分別菩薩法門，明淨佛國土垢淨之行，菩薩依此而行，故名菩薩行品。就此二品，文為二：第一從此品首至歎未曾有，淨名掌擎大眾同入庵園，名為歸佛所。第二從佛述阿難如是如是去，訖〈阿閦品〉，名為復宗說佛國因果。彼有時發，始開二品。為二：初品明佛國之行，是復宗明義。次〈見阿閦佛品〉正明顯果。初為二：一掌擎大眾俱往菴園、二阿難聞香即發疑問。就第一掌擎中為六：一現相、二阿難見相白佛、三佛為說、四維摩唱欲往、五文殊同往、六用神力擎往菴園。初「同金色」者，表淨名所化之者緣縛已除，皆入性淨常寂之土，同一金光。六、擎大眾中為二：一到佛所申敬、二佛慰問。申敬為三：一大士申敬、二諸菩薩申敬、三釋梵申敬。二、慰問，為三：一慰問、二命復座、三奉命復座。第二、阿難疑問中為二：一佛問舍利、二阿難疑香。就問舍利中為四：一問汝見大士神力所為乎、二答、三更問如何、四答是不思議之法不可以思議心智圖度測量。佛所以問者，亦為印成室內之事。亦為室內懷疑未了者，若聞佛印，即不復有疑，無疑故生信，印故成經。

Regarding "The Bodhisattva Practice Chapter": here, those who came from Sarvagandhasugandhā differentiate the bodhisattvas' Dharma-doors, clarifying the practices of defilement and purity in purifying the buddha-lands; since bodhisattvas practice in accordance with this, it is called "The Bodhisattva Practice Chapter." Regarding these two chapters, the text is divided into two parts: First, from the beginning of this chapter up to "marvelled at what had never been before," Vimalakīrti holds the great assembly in his palm and enters the Āmrapālī Grove together with them, which is termed "returning to the Buddha's abode." Second, from the Buddha's affirmation to Ānanda, "So it is, so it is," down through the "Akṣobhya Chapter," which is termed "returning to the fundamental theme to explain the causes and fruits of the buddha-lands." As there was a timely arousal [of the teaching], he began by opening these two chapters. It divides into two: The first chapter clarifies the practices of the buddha-lands, which is "returning to the fundamental theme to clarify the doctrine." Next, the "Chapter on Seeing Akṣobhya Buddha" directly and clearly reveals the fruition. The first chapter has two parts: 1. Holding the great assembly in his palm, they go together to the Āmrapālī Grove; 2. Ānanda smells the fragrance and immediately raises doubts. Within the first, holding them in his palm, there are six points: 1. Manifesting the signs; 2. Ānanda sees the signs and addresses the Buddha; 3. The Buddha explains it for him; 4. Vimalakīrti proclaims his wish to go; 5. Mañjuśrī goes along with him; 6. Using spiritual power to hold them in his palm and go to the Āmrapālī Grove. First, "all of a golden colour" signifies that those converted by Vimalakīrti have already eradicated the fetters of conditions, all entering the land of intrinsic purity and eternal quiescence, uniformly sharing a single golden radiance. Sixth, within holding the great assembly in his palm, there are two points: 1. Arriving at the Buddha's abode and expressing reverence; 2. The Buddha offers consoling inquiries. Expressing reverence has three points: 1. The Great Being expresses reverence; 2. The bodhisattvas express reverence; 3. Śakra and Brahmā express reverence. Second, consoling inquiries has three points: 1. Offering consoling inquiries; 2. Ordering them to resume their seats; 3. Obeying the command and resuming their seats. In the second part, Ānanda's raising doubts, there are two points: 1. The Buddha asks Śāriputra; 2. Ānanda questions the fragrance. Within the questioning of Śāriputra, there are four points: 1. Asking, "Did you see what the Great Being's spiritual power performed?"; 2. The reply; 3. Further asking, "What do you think of it?"; 4. The reply, that it is an inconceivable Dharma that cannot be measured or fathomed by the thinking mind and intellect. The reason the Buddha asked this was also to seal and confirm the events within the room. It was also for the sake of those in the room who harboured doubts and had not yet understood: if they hear the Buddha's seal of confirmation, they will have no further doubt; having no doubt, faith is generated, and being sealed, it becomes a sūtra.