維摩經略疏 8.8

8.8

From 'At that time' onward is the third part: entering the text to explain it section by section. As previously divided into four chapters to form three intentions, within the text of this single chapter there are four parts: first, directly explaining the contemplation of sentient beings entering emptiness from provisionality; second, explaining the arising of the immeasurable mind to benefit beings; third, back-and-forth inquiry exhaustively tracing the source of sentient beings; fourth, the heavenly goddess scattering flowers. The first section has two parts: first, Mañjuśrī asks; second, Vimalakīrti answers. As for why there is an initial question: above, the 'Inquiring after the Illness' chapter explained that the bodhisattva with a real illness enters emptiness from provisionality solely to distinguish self-taming, without yet explaining this contemplation's expedient means for benefiting beings. Now Mañjuśrī asks: if using the previous contemplation of entering emptiness from provisionality to benefit beings, how should one contemplate sentient beings? Hence there is a question.