維摩經略疏 5.5

5.5

Regarding "for what reason… preaching the Dharma": Second, clarifying the reason for incompetence. Because in the past he preached the Dharma beneath a tree for newly initiated monks. "Beneath a tree" designates the place where he preached the Dharma. Perhaps it has a symbolic meaning, which can be understood by analogy with Śāriputra. "Newly initiated" refers to beginners of the three vehicles. However, the capacities of these monks were oriented toward the Great [Vehicle], yet without carefully examining them, he mistakenly preached the Small [Vehicle] to them. Although the words he preached are not stated, they can be known by examining the sūtra. The text says, "If you wish to travel the great highway, do not show a narrow lane"; the narrow lane is precisely the place traveled by the Hīnayāna. This went against their Mahāyāna capacity, causing him to be rebuked. The reason for incompetence was due to going against their capacity.