維摩經義記卷第四 4.28

4.28

From "Then Vimalakīrti" downward is the second major section. "Vimalakīrti knew his thought": he knew that it was not solely for the bodhisattvas, but also his own intention of needing food. Within this, it is divided into two sentences. The first sentence teases him that, being a body born of binding karma, he cannot be without dependence. "The Buddha taught the eight liberations; you have received and practiced them. How could you listen to the Dharma mingled with the desire for food?": the Buddha taught the eight liberations; you have received and practiced this teaching. You ought precisely to let your mind wander in the eight liberations, taking the food of Dharma as foremost; how could you listen to the correct Dharma mingled with the thought of needing food of desire? Another explanation is: solid food has color, smell, taste, and touch; that is, it is the mixed, defiled food of the five desires. Another explanation is: it teases Śāriputra that he came for the Dharma and not for food. The eight liberations originally are able to remove affliction, and that is itself the food of Dharma. Now, listening to the Dharma removes affliction and is also the good medicine for illness. If he now holds on to food and not to the Dharma, it is as if the former eight liberations did not remove affliction and the present Dharma is also not good medicine. Therefore, he grasps both past and present to rebuke him.