維摩經略疏 5.96

5.96

From "At that time, Vimalakīrti" below: third, directly recounting the matter of being rebuked. The text has three parts: first, examining and asking about the intention of begging; second, directly rebuking him; third, Ānanda's shame and embarrassment. The first part has two: first, Vimalakīrti asks; second, Ānanda replies. The reason he asks first is that the time for alms-gathering (piṇḍapāta) had not yet arrived, yet he held his bowl and came here—what did he seek? Intending to rebuke him, he first determined his purpose; hence he asked: "Why do you stand here holding your bowl in the morning?" From "I said" down to "arrived here": second, Ānanda replies. Ānanda only grasped the intent of the Tripiṭaka teaching, considering that the Buddha had an illness and definitely needed to beg for milk. As for the etiquette of a disciple, attendance, inquiring after him, and respectful service must not be neglected; therefore he went to the door to beg for milk.