維摩經略疏 3.10

3.10

Fifth, regarding contemplation of mind: if according to the distinct characteristics of the threefold contemplation, the first two are expedient means; if entering the Middle Way, that is real wisdom. First, entering emptiness from the conventional is the meaning of refuting phenomena and subduing; next, entering the conventional from emptiness is establishing phenomena and gathering in; the correct contemplation of the Middle Way is teaching and transforming sentient beings to enter real wisdom. Entering reality is called causing the Dharma to abide long; when the Dharma abides long, the dharmakāya endures eternally. If according to the threefold contemplation in a single mind, expedient means and real wisdom are neither one nor different; applying the threefold contemplation across the three types of karma to clarify the skillful operation of expedient means may be understood accordingly. Question: Who definitively expounded this chapter? Answer: There are three interpretations. Some say: the compiler of the sūtra praised Vimalakīrti's virtues and expounded such teachings for those inquiring after his illness. Some say: the preceding praise of virtue was by the compiler of the sūtra, and the subsequent expounding of the Dharma was Ratnakūṭa narrating to the Buddha that Vimalakīrti was ill and could not come, expounding such teachings for those inquiring after the illness. Some say: it was the Buddha who joined in praising Vimalakīrti's having such expedient means to expound the Dharma and benefit beings. At present, it is likely that it was spoken by the Buddha. The intention of the Universal Assembly Sūtra and the "Buddha-land Chapter" was for Vimalakīrti to assist in inspiring and proclaiming them. Having received this praise, Vimalakīrti knew it in advance, and therefore as an expedient means used illness as a pretext, so that visits and inquiries would allow the teaching to be initiated; Ānanda had made a fundamental vow that the Buddha would expound for him whatever sūtras he had not yet heard, and at the time of the council, it was recited sequentially following the "Buddha-land Chapter". For the six chapters of entering the room Ānanda was at the Āmrapālī Grove, and that they were all entrusted to Ānanda was also because they were expounded again for him.