維摩經略疏 6.143

6.143

問：何以得知文殊見相即知所表？答：淨名歎言「善來。以不見相而見。」不見相即表四不可說，不見依正之相而見是現相表土表身。若不爾者，文殊在下，何得問疾即問室空，因此往復？又文殊尚知如來欲說《法華》現相表發，豈不知淨名現相所表？若不知者，豈得恭旨堪來問疾。

Question: How do we know that Mañjuśrī saw the signs and immediately understood what they signified? Answer: Vimalakīrti praised him, saying: “Welcome! You have come by seeing without the characteristic of seeing.” Seeing without characteristics signifies the four inexpressibles; not seeing the characteristics of circumstantial and direct retribution, yet seeing, is seeing the manifested signs that signify lands and bodies. If it were not so, how could Mañjuśrī, below, immediately ask about the empty room upon inquiring after the illness, thereby initiating the exchange? Furthermore, Mañjuśrī even knew that the Tathāgata's manifestation of signs portended his intention to preach the Lotus Sūtra; how could he not know what Vimalakīrti's manifested signs signified? If he did not know, how could he have respectfully received the decree and been fit to come inquire after the illness?