金剛般若經依天親菩薩論贊略釋秦本義記卷上 1.12

1.12

Sūtra: At that time, the elder Subhūti, in the great assembly, arose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt with his right knee on the ground, joined his palms respectfully. / Below, this secondly clarifies the main body of the text. Here, many people crudely distinguish and divide it into two cycles: first, clarifying before the bhūmis; and second, from 'how should [one]…' onward, clarifying upon the bhūmis. Now, examining the principles of the text, I consider this to be incorrect. In the treatise on resolving doubts, it self-explains: 'From this point onward, it clarifies all sūtras, manifesting the severing of arising doubts.' Since it says 'all', it is clear that there is no distinction. Now, regarding the main body, the text is divided into four: first, Subhūti requests instruction; second, the Tathāgata praises and permits; third, Subhūti delights in hearing; fourth, the Tathāgata directly answers. This text is the first. The text further has three parts: first, designating and listing the requester; second, praising the Buddha's virtues of conversion; third, directly uttering the words of the request. This text is the first. What is called 'at that time' is the time of questioning about the Dharma. 'Elder' is an honorific appellation, meaning possessing the virtues of a senior and elder. 'Subhūti' is the person requesting the Dharma. The name Subhūti contains three meanings: when he was born, the room was empty, manifesting an auspicious mark of emptiness; his parents asked the diviner, who said he was 'only good and only auspicious', hence named Shanjī (Good and Auspicious); he is also called Shanxian (Well-Manifested), and also called Kongsheng (Empty-Born). One may use either without error. 'In the great assembly, arose from his seat' is the demeanor of requesting the Dharma. 'Bared his right shoulder' is the sign of respecting the master. 'Knelt with his right knee on the ground' is the opening of raising a question. 'Joined his palms respectfully' means composing one's countenance in single-minded mindfulness.