大毘盧遮那成佛經疏 1.18

1.18

'Vairocana Buddha then addressed the Vajradhara Guhyakādhipati, saying: "Excellent, excellent, Vajradhara! Excellent, Vajrapāṇi! You have asked me about such a meaning. Listen attentively and apply your mind most thoroughly; I shall now speak it," up to "all dharmas are markless, namely, having the mark of space."' Because the Vajradhara Guhyakādhipati foresaw the profound intention of the Tathāgata's adhiṣṭhāna and could moreover inspire the present assembly to serve as conditions for generating understanding, peering into the sagely mind without missing the opportune moment, [the Buddha] repeated: 'Excellent, excellent!' I observe that among all devas, humans, śramaṇas, and brāhmaṇas, down to bodhisattvas of shallow practice, none was able to pose such a question before the Bhagavat. Why is this? Because within the meanings of these three phrases, all the secret, supernatural, and exceedingly profound matters of the Buddhadharma are fully encompassed; hence he praised him again: 'Excellent, Vajrapāṇi! You are able to ask me about such a meaning.' Because of being empowered by the Tathāgata's words of approval, Vajrapāṇi's immeasurable virtues doubled at that time, and it was further made clear that there would be no loss whatsoever in the Dharma he received. Next, [the Buddha] admonished him: 'Listen attentively and apply your mind most thoroughly; I shall now speak it.' This was also to make clear this entrustment to future disciples, as the ritual decorum for receiving the Dharma with a profound mind. Therefore, the *Upadeśa* (*Dàzhìdù lùn*) states: 'If a person's mind is good, upright, and faithful, that person may listen to the Dharma. If they lack these marks, they cannot understand.' As stated in a verse: 'The listener stands upright like one drinking thirstily, / Entering single-mindedly into the meaning of the words; / Leaping with joy to hear the Dharma, the mind moved and delighted— / To such a person one should speak.' And the *Akṣayamatinirdeśa-sūtra* explains at length the twenty-three virtues of applying one's mind to listen to the Dharma.