維摩經略疏垂裕記 9.42

9.42

Second, Jingming borrows the seats, in two parts: First, recounting the intention and dividing into sections. Second, explaining the meaning following the text, in six parts: First, Jingming asks. Second, Mañjuśrī answers. Third, borrowing the seats through divine power. Jingxi says, "If one accords with the text below..." and so forth: in order to accomplish that land's bodhisattvas' practice of dual flow, the text below had to first convey news to stir that machine's sentiment and raise the clue of those bodhisattvas asking questions; that is, one should first dispatch a transformed bodhisattva thither. Now there is no such matter, so one must make the meaning diffuse. Fourth, the King of Lamps dispatches the seats. Jingxi says, "Namely, signifying the reward land": Question: Why does he not mention the three lands below? Answer: The reward includes the three, so why would one need to list them separately? How much more so since the small being able to contain the large is still present in a single dust mote. Fifth, the great assembly sighs in admiration. Sixth, having the assembly take their seats, in two parts: First, dividing into sections. Second, explaining sequentially, in three parts: First, having Mañjuśrī and others take their seats. Second, those who have attained spiritual penetrations sit according to the seats. Third, the newly resolved and others are all unable to ascend, in two parts: First, dividing into sections. Second, explaining sequentially, in five parts: First, the newly resolved and others are all unable to ascend. Second, telling Śāriputra to take his seat. Third, Śāriputra declines, being unable to ascend. Jingxi says: "Śāriputra and all the others..." and so forth: Śāriputra in his inner mind has not yet realized this principle. The seats of the King of Lamps are accomplished by virtue of realization, and Jingming also, because of realization, is able to borrow them. Śāriputra has not yet realized what the two men have realized; this corresponds to principle and phenomena: phenomena are elevated and difficult to ascend. It is precisely because phenomena identical to principle are lofty and broad that they cause phenomena without principle to be unable to ascend. Because they transcend the principle and phenomena of all expedient persons, they cause these [people] to all be unable to ascend. Therefore, the newly resolved are also unable to ascend. Because bodhisattvas are not uniform, he compares and determines them, thus taking the various stages of worthiness as successively distinct. Even the newly resolved of the separate and perfect [teachings] do not measure up; how much less so the initial minds of the previous two! Although Śāriputra has reached the final mind of the previous teaching, he is still of the Small Vehicle and must therefore pay homage to the seats. Having already received empowerment, what difficulty is there in ascending? Fourth, telling him to pay homage to the King of Lamps. Jingxi says, "The Small Vehicle turning toward..." and so forth: in this reproach there is also the benefit of fresh butter, so having the intention to ascend prefigures the later ascension, and hence upon reaching the Lotus Sūtra, he ultimately ascends. Fifth, only after making homage does he ascend.