請觀音經疏闡義鈔 2.65

2.65

「當機是五百」等者，宿植德本，緣合時熟，故謂當機。五百，即同類五百長者也。「後得道」，即斯那等。「發起」，謂權謀智鑒，知機知時，擊揚發動，成就利益。如月蓋致請，及下文身子白佛云：「佛說禪定第一」等。「影響」，謂古往諸佛，法身菩薩隱其圓極匡輔法王，雖無為作而有巨益。「結緣」，謂力無引導擊動之能，德非伏物鎮嚴之用。過去根淺三慧不生，現在聞法無四悉益，但作未來得度因緣也。

"The direct addressees are the five hundred" and so forth: having planted roots of virtue in the past, when conditions combine and the time is ripe, they are called direct addressees. The "five hundred" are the five hundred elders of the same kind. "Those who later attain the Path" refers to Sena and others. "Initiators" refers to those with skillful means and wise discernment who know the capacities and know the time, who stimulate and set into motion so as to achieve benefit. An example is Candraprabha extending the invitation, as well as the later passage where Śāriputra addresses the Buddha: "The Buddha taught that dhyāna-concentration is foremost," and so forth. "Influencing addressees" refers to the past buddhas and dharmakāya bodhisattvas who conceal their perfect fruition to support the Dharma King; although they do not act purposefully, they provide immense benefit. "Connection-makers" refers to those whose power lacks the ability to guide and stimulate, and whose virtue lacks the function of subduing beings and inspiring awe. In the past their faculties were shallow and the three wisdoms did not arise; in the present, hearing the Dharma brings no benefit of the four siddhāntas; they merely create causal conditions for being delivered in the future.