大方廣圓覺修多羅了義經略疏 1.244

1.244

摩訶大也，謂此有情信大法、解大義、發大心、趣大果、修大行、證大道故，故《華嚴》中地前云摩訶薩，然今例者唯是地上。

*Mahā* means great, meaning that this sentient being has faith in the great Dharma, understands the great meaning, generates the great mind, heads toward the great fruit, cultivates the great practice, and realizes the great path; hence in the *Huayan*, those below the stages are called mahāsattvas, but here they are exemplars solely on the stages.