請觀音經疏闡義鈔 2.75

2.75

Regarding the sūtra's "five hundred elders," the Fengsu tong states: "Those of advanced age and mature virtue, whose matters surpass those of others, are therefore called elders." In that country there were five hundred families, all called Licchavi, who ruled by turns of abdication. Licchavi translates as "transmitting and bestowing state governance," which is probably derived from this. These five hundred elders jointly practiced the methods of the Path, and none among the people of the land failed to take refuge in their virtue. That Candraprabha was their leader was because at that time he was the sovereign of the state. Therefore, the "Fragrance Accumulation Chapter" of the Vimalakīrti states: "Thereupon, the elder and chief Candraprabha came with eighty-four thousand people." This is it.