維摩經略疏 8.90

8.90

問：身子何故前問沒生、次問得道久如，淨名述成何故前述法身成道、次述沒生？答：身子迷心而問絕事至理，淨名以理述成。得無生忍即得法身，方有應用。身子雖有六問，天女答無留滯，正意猶為難見，故用四義述成，意乃分明。

Question: Why did Śāriputra first ask about passing away and rebirth, and next ask how long before attaining the Way, whereas Vimalakīrti's confirmation first confirms the dharmakāya's attainment of the Way and next confirms passing away and rebirth? Answer: Śāriputra asked from a deluded mind about the ultimate principle beyond phenomenal activities; Vimalakīrti confirms it in terms of principle. Only when one attains the forbearance of the unarisen does one attain the dharmakāya, and only then does responsive functioning arise. Although Śāriputra had six questions and the goddess answered without obstruction, her essential intent remained difficult to see; therefore, using four meanings to confirm it makes the intent fully clear.