維摩經義記卷第四 4.18

4.18

From 'Although knowing there is no arising or cessation' downward is the third major section, expanding on the meaning of the father. The reason parents are specifically expanded upon is that there is nothing more revered, weighty, or fundamental to giving birth and nurturing than parents. The bodhisattva's two wisdoms are the source of all virtues and the basis of the myriad practices, hence they are specifically expanded upon. Within this, it is divided into four subsections. First, the three verses from 'Although knowing there is no arising or cessation' downward generally explain transforming beings externally and manifesting diversely, offering above to all Buddhas and converting sentient beings below. Second, the twenty-four verses from 'All the kinds of sentient beings' down to 'Through the power of skillful means is able to supply them all' explain in detail that external conversion is manifold. Third, the two verses 'Such paths are immeasurable' generally summarize and conclude the above. 'Such paths are immeasurable' means inner virtues are immeasurable. 'Where he walks has no boundary' means that precisely because inner practice is immeasurable, skillful means are immeasurable. 'Wisdom has no limit' explains the 'immeasurable paths' above; precisely because wisdom is boundless, inner virtues are immeasurable. 'Crossing over countless multitudes' explains 'having no boundary' cited above; precisely because he can cross over countless multitudes, his transformative practice has no boundary. The single verse 'Even if all Buddhas' explains that the magnitude of his virtue is vast and deep, beyond all telling. When the Buddhas praise the virtues of a bodhisattva, how could they not exhaust them? Here, 'not exhausted' simply means they cannot be recorded in writings nor spoken of repeatedly; hence it says they cannot be exhausted even in an entire kalpa. Fourth, the single verse 'Who, having heard such a teaching' encourages generating bodhicitta.