維摩經略疏 3.55

3.55

"When among common people, he was honored among common people, causing them to generate the power of merit": common people have little merit and dwell in the retribution of poverty and lowliness, constantly feeling inferior in what they cannot attain and giving up on admiring the upper class. Although the Mahāsattva manifested a high station in his trace, he loved the lower classes universally; the common people felt grateful and respected him all the more. According with their capacities, he preached the four teachings and the merit of giving (dāna), so that they would be born in the pure land and obtain superior retribution.