維摩經略疏 4.23

4.23

From "At that time" onward is the third [part], entering the text to explain it. The text has two parts: first, Vimalakīrti's silent reflection; second, the Tathāgata's dispatching [disciples] to inquire [after him]. The first has two parts: first, reflecting on lying ill; second, reflecting on the Buddha extending his purpose. As for the first passage: Vimalakīrti's rank resides in equal awakening; what illness could he possibly have? Now, his reflecting to himself is precisely because he wishes to rely on this to initiate the teaching and benefit sentient beings. His reflecting to himself is the liberation of knowledge and vision and the dharmakāya residing in the stage of equal awakening and the three virtues. Lying down symbolizes prajñā. Illness symbolizes liberation. The bed symbolizes the dharmakāya. These are neither vertical nor horizontal, like the worldly letter 'I' (∴). The reason for this is that the dharmakāya is the intrinsically pure mind; concealed, it is called the tathāgatagarbha; manifested, it is called the dharmakāya, which is the liberation of true nature. Lying down symbolizes prajñā, like a person lying down to rest, putting to rest all toils, afflictions, and undertakings. The *Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra* states, "Who attains peaceful sleep? It is none other than the buddhas. Constantly contemplating the samādhi of emptiness, their body and mind are quiescent and unmoving." Now, through prajñā contemplating emptiness, the cultivation of the cause has already been perfected and all practices are rested, so the fundamental purity and principle are revealed; thus, lying down is used to illuminate prajñā, which is the liberation of real wisdom. Illness symbolizing liberation means: when prajñā accords with the principle of true nature, there is unconditioned great compassion that does not abandon sentient beings; with kindness and compassion perfuming the body, he can expediently manifest illness. The *Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra* states, "The place where sentient beings are tamed is called liberation." Because sentient beings are ill, Vimalakīrti is also ill; skillfully blending with the light without sharing their dust—this is the pure liberation of expedient means.