維摩經略疏垂裕記 3.12

3.12

問：微義可知。大義云何？答：地水火風遍處皆有，故名大也。大即周遍為義。《大論》五十七云「如佛說四大無處不有，故名為大。」

Question: The meaning of 'subtle' can be known; what is the meaning of 'great'? Answer: Earth, water, fire, and wind exist everywhere in all places, and are therefore called 'great.' 'Great' takes all-pervading as its meaning. Fascicle 57 of the Great Treatise says: 'As the Buddha said, the four great elements are nowhere absent, hence they are called great.'