起信論疏筆削記 17.33

17.33

Under the first, the Śāstra states: "In a single thought reaching all worlds without remainder": if based on the Avataṃsaka-sūtra, a bodhisattva of the first ground can reach a hundred Buddha-worlds, the second ground a thousand Buddha-worlds, up to the tenth ground's ineffable-ineffable asaṃkhyeya worlds; these differ in superiority and inferiority according to their respective stages. Now, the intention in this text is to discuss the ten grounds in general, hence the phrase "without remainder" is used to run through them all. The commentary states: "Requesting the Dharma": in those various worlds and among those various assemblies, they exert themselves to take the lead, acting as the leaders of the assembly, requesting the Buddha to preach the Dharma. The intention of requesting: the new translation of the Śāstra says: "Only to benefit sentient beings, not seeking to hear and receive pleasant words." Indeed, requesting the preaching of the Dharma truly lies in manifesting the meaning of practice, causing the assembled gathering to receive it as heard, reflect upon it, and practice it, and also hoping to benefit sentient beings broadly and successively—how could it be merely to listen in vain to words? Thus it is like the twelve bodhisattvas in the Yuanjue jing, who each put forward requests, all saying, "I pray, for the sake of this assembly and for the future age," and so forth.