維摩經略疏 7.18

7.18

From "Mañjuśrī..." onward is the second [part], asking about the room being empty and without attendants. The text has two: first, the question; second, the answer. First, as for the question: Mañjuśrī, entering and seeing that the room was empty, immediately knew it had a symbolic meaning; as the assembly at that time had not yet awakened, he wished to reveal the meaning of the buddha-land, and therefore asked next. This is asking about the land of environmental retribution as the dwelling for the personal retribution, in order to make the assembly of that time know that the ultimate pure land where the Great Being's dharmakāya dwells has no environmental retribution or retinue. If responding to beings, then there are environmental retribution and a retinue; therefore he asks next, "Why is this room empty and without attendants?" This question directly initiates the buddha-land and supports the preceding "Buddha-land Chapter."