大毘盧遮那成佛經疏 4.47

4.47

偈中云「或十或八七，或五二一四」者，是一期道場作阿闍梨灌頂之限數。此中約超數取之，謂從一至二，從二超至於四，從四至五，從五超至七，從七至八，從八超至十人。是故一漫荼羅中，不得同時為三人六人九人灌頂。蓋如來密意，阿闍梨不釋所由。又同《大方等陀羅尼經》不得過十人已上也。過此已外，恐阿闍梨心量有所不周，當待後緣別為作法。又此十人以下者，謂俱時發心，各捨內外所有供養三寶、同共成辨漫荼羅，故得同時作法。若人因遇道場，便云法緣難值乞并為濟度者，未合為作阿闍梨灌頂也。若復數過此，若但求結緣於一門本尊法中受真言印者，則不依如是劑限。阿闍梨亦當發起大悲，隨有能起少分善心者，皆為發生立菩提種子，故云或復數過此也。

The verse states: "Or ten, or eight, seven, / Or five, two, one, four." These are the limiting numbers for conferring the ācārya consecration during one ritual period. Here the numbers are taken by skipping: that is, from one up to two, from two skipping to four, from four to five, from five skipping to seven, from seven to eight, and from eight skipping to ten people. Therefore, in a single maṇḍala, one must not simultaneously confer consecration upon three, six, or nine people. This is the Tathāgata's esoteric intention; the ācārya does not explain the reason. Furthermore, just as in the Great Vaipulya Dhāraṇī Sūtra, it must not exceed ten people. Beyond this, it is feared that the ācārya's mental capacity might not be comprehensive; one should await later conditions to perform the ritual separately. Moreover, regarding these 'ten people or fewer', it refers to those who generate the mind at the same time, each giving up all their internal and external possessions to make offerings to the Three Jewels, and jointly accomplishing the maṇḍala; therefore, the ritual may be performed for them simultaneously. If someone happens to encounter the ritual site and merely says that the condition for the Dharma is hard to meet, begging to be liberated along with them, it is not yet appropriate to perform the ācārya consecration for them. If the number exceeds this, or if one merely seeks to establish a karmic connection by receiving a mantra and mudrā in the practice of a single gateway's fundamental deity, then one does not rely on such limits. The ācārya should also arouse mahākaruṇā: wherever someone can give rise to even a fraction of a wholesome mind, he should generate and plant the bodhicitta seed for all of them; hence it is said, 'or again, a number exceeding this'.