維摩經疏 1.12

1.12

From here below, two questions inquire about the sentient beings transformed by Vimalakīrti. The former asks about consoling; the latter asks about subduing. Question: What is the difference between these two questions? Answer: The former question about consoling inquires about those bodhisattvas who are below the ten faiths and who have truly contracted illness from being accomplished in impure perfuming through hearing; since Vimalakīrti, out of great compassion, manifests illness for their sake, how does he console their minds and cause them to cultivate the path and eliminate illness? The latter question about subduing inquires about those truly ill bodhisattvas from the initial mind of the ten understandings up to the final mind of dedication, as well as inquiring about those bodhisattvas from the first bhūmi on up to the vajra[-like samādhi]. How does he subdue their births, sever evil, cultivate good, and practice the bodhisattva path? In principle, Vimalakīrti's manifestation of illness is only for the sake of teaching and transforming ill bodhisattvas prior to the stages; from the first bhūmi on up, there is no need to manifest illness. Now, speaking in terms of subduing, it is therefore spoken of generally. The former consoling is precisely the "well entrusting the bodhisattvas" in the Prajñā Sūtra; the latter subduing is precisely the "well minding and protecting the bodhisattvas" in the Prajñā Sūtra. Question: The meaning of the distinction should be like this.