說無垢稱經疏 1.37

1.37

Commentary: The following explanation of the assembly of bodhisattvas contains four [parts]: 1. designating the category and citing the number; 2. praising and displaying their virtues; 3. individually listing their names; 4. restating and summarizing in conclusion, which begins with "Bodhisattvas who were leaders like these" below. This is the first passage.

"Bodhisattva-mahāsattva" is the category. "Thirty-two thousand" is the number.

*Bodhisattva*, abbreviated as *pusa*, has four interpretations altogether:
First, *bodhi* means awakening, which is the fruit of Buddhahood sought by knowledge. *Sattva* means sentient being, which refers to the living beings to be delivered. The *Mahāyānasaṃgraha* says: "Because they take *bodhi* and *sattvas* as cognitive objects, they are called *bodhisattvas*." The bodhisattva cultivates the two benefits of self and other; the two benefits are the two practices, hence they are named from this.
Second, *bodhi* is as explained above, and *sattva* means sentient being; that is, because bodhisattvas still possess the ripened consciousness (vipākavijñāna), they can be called sentient beings. They are sentient beings who seek great bodhi, distinguishing them from the remaining sentient beings; therefore, they are named bodhisattvas.
Third, *bodhi* is as explained above, and *sattva* means courageous and steadfast; not fearing place or time, not begrudging wealth or life, they are courageous ones who seek great bodhi, distinguishing them from those who are courageous in the remainder of saṃsāra; therefore, they are named bodhisattvas. Thus the *Mahāyānasaṃgraha* says: "Having resolve and having capability, they are therefore named bodhisattvas."
Fourth, the *Ekādaśamukha-sūtra* says: "*Bodhi* is prajñā, and *sattva* means upāya." The *Lotus Sūtra* says: "What all Buddhas have realized is profound and difficult to understand; what they preach has an intention that is difficult to know." That is, possessing wisdom and possessing expedient means, possessing real wisdom and provisional wisdom, true wisdom and cultivated wisdom, wisdom regarding principle and wisdom regarding phenomena, benefiting oneself and benefiting others, they are therefore named bodhisattvas.

*Mahāsattva*, abbreviated as *mohesa*. *Mahā* means great; *sattva* is as explained before. In order to distinguish them from the two vehicles and the ordinary beings prior to the bhūmis, and even to distinguish them from bodhisattvas prior to the seventh bhūmi, the designation "great" is established. These [bodhisattvas] are all at the eighth bhūmi and above, not in the preceding ranks. "Thirty-two thousand" refers to those currently gathered at the assembly, only designating those of the higher ranks; those of lower ranks should be understood by analogy, and thus are not individually designated.