金剛般若經旨贊 1.33

1.33

經。須菩提至可思量不　贊曰。此下喻顯校量。於中有二。初舉喻問答。後正顯校量。前中有二。初舉東方。後例九方。初中復二。初如來問。後善現答。此初也。虛空無像。其際叵量。施而不住。其福無限。故以施福。借喻虛空。西國尊人。坐皆東面。且隨所向。偏指東方。故問善現。於汝之謂為云何耶。東方虛空。應可以意思慮。度量得邊際不。經不也世尊。贊曰。此善現答也。虛空之體。無際無涯。不可以意思慮度量得其邊也。

[Sūtra:] "Subhūti, ... can it be thought of?"
[Commentary:] The following shows the comparative measurement by means of an analogy. Herein there are two parts: first, question and answer presenting the analogy; and second, the direct showing of the comparative measurement. The former also has two parts: first, adducing the eastern direction; and second, exemplifying the other nine directions. The first again has two parts: first, the Tathāgata's question; and second, Subhūti's reply. This is the first.
Space has no form, and its bounds cannot be measured. Giving without abiding produces limitless merit. Therefore, the merit of giving is analogized by means of space. In the western country (India), revered persons all face east when seated; so adapting to where one faces, he specifically points to the eastern direction. Thus he asks Subhūti: "In your opinion, how is it? Can the space of the eastern direction be mentally thought of, or measured to reach its limits?"
[Sūtra:] "No, World-Honoured One."
[Commentary:] This is Subhūti's reply. The substance of space has no boundary or limit; it cannot be mentally thought of or measured to reach its bounds.