維摩經義記卷第四 4.69

4.69

Within the third major section adducing the past as verification, it is divided into five sections. First, from "In the past there was a Buddha named Medicine King Tathāgata" onward: about to weigh material offerings as not equal to the Dharma offering, it first lists Medicine King Tathāgata's realm, name, lifespan, and number of kalpas. These two gifts were practiced toward Medicine King Tathāgata, and therefore they must be listed. Second, from "At that time there was a wheel-turning sage king named Precious Canopy" onward clarifies the material offerings provided to Medicine King Tathāgata. Third, from "At that time the prince Moon Canopy sat alone in contemplation" onward lists the Dharma offering. Within this, it is again divided into two. First, the prince Moon Canopy sitting alone in contemplation clarifies the opening sequence of the Dharma offering: "Could there be an offering surpassing this?" Having exhausted wealth and spent treasures, could there really be something surpassing this? In one interpretation: although he exhausted the world's ornate decorations and famous fine garments, there must still be something surpassing this, meaning that he had not yet exhausted the ultimate.