維摩義記 1.14

1.14

觀眾生所以興者。因前章末天子等發心即為菩薩必入生死施化。云何觀前眾生。見眾生體性空寂假名故有正。以假名眾生不定故可化令從正故。以觀眾生為名也。此品大判凡有二段。從始至立一切法。明觀眾生。二明大菩薩現為天女對身子論議廣明不二之道。

The reason why "Contemplating Sentient Beings" arises is that, due to the devaputras and others generating the [bodhi-]mind at the end of the previous chapter, they become bodhisattvas who must enter saṃsāra to bestow transformation. How should they contemplate the sentient beings before them? Seeing that the essential nature of sentient beings is empty and tranquil, they exist only through nominal designation (prajñapti); precisely because nominally designated sentient beings are not fixed, they can be transformed to follow the correct; therefore it is named "Contemplating Sentient Beings." This chapter, in overarching division, has two sections in all: from the beginning to "establishing all dharmas" clarifies contemplating sentient beings; the second clarifies the great bodhisattva manifesting as a heavenly maiden to debate with Śāriputra, broadly explaining the path of non-duality.