金剛般若經依天親菩薩論贊略釋秦本義記卷上 1.110

1.110

[Sūtra:] "'Subhūti, as many grains of sand as there are in the Ganges River, if there were as many Ganges Rivers as those grains of sand, what do you think? Would the grains of sand of all those Ganges Rivers indeed be many?'"

Second, comparing measures to reveal superiority. In the text there are two [parts]: first, regarding external wealth; later, regarding internal wealth. Within the former there are again two: first, adducing the inferior and the superior; second, explaining the reason for superiority. Within the former there are again two: first adducing the inferior, and later revealing the superior. Within the former there are also four: first, asking about the sand; second, answering about the sand; third, asking about the merit; fourth, answering about the merit. This is the first, asking about the sand. The reason for repeatedly comparing measures below is to destroy the sentiment of doubt. An outsider doubts, saying: "Previously it was said that upholding four lines of the sūtra surpasses giving the seven jewels of the trichiliocosm. Now it is said that the seven jewels of worlds as numerous as the sands of immeasurable Ganges Rivers also surpasses giving the seven jewels of the trichiliocosm. Both meanings are superior; what kind of superior merit is able to attain great bodhi?" Now to resolve this doubt, it is revealed that this merit of upholding the sūtra not only surpasses giving the seven jewels of the trichiliocosm, but also surpasses giving away the seven jewels of worlds as numerous as the sands of immeasurable Ganges Rivers. Because through this merit of upholding one can attain great bodhi, and not through the merit of giving, measures are compared repeatedly to reveal their superiority and inferiority. Saying "as many grains of sand as there are in the Ganges River" is the first layer, briefly clarifying that the sands are immeasurable. "As many Ganges Rivers as those grains of sand" is the second layer, generally clarifying that the rivers are immeasurable. "What do you think? Would the grains of sand of all those Ganges Rivers indeed be many?" is the second [part], extensively clarifying that the sands are immeasurable. The word "indeed" (níng) is "able" (néng), asking comprehensively whether that many river sands can be considered many.