維摩經疏 1.5

1.5

Below, it directly clarifies inquiring about the illness to reveal the Dharma. Everything that is explained in terms of the marks of dharmas from here on down without exception takes manifesting illness and the empty room as its point of departure. Discussing the empty room gives rise to the ten subsequent matters; discussing manifesting illness gives rise to the ten subsequent questions. The ten [questions concerning] manifesting illness are explained according to the text: (1) 'Householder, is this illness bearable?'; (2) 'Is medical treatment diminishing it and not increasing it?'; (3) 'From what cause did it arise?'; (4) 'How long ago was it born?'; (5) 'How should it be eliminated?'; (6) 'What kind of mark does this illness have?'; (7) 'Do body and mind combine?'; (8) 'Among the four great elements, which element's illness is it?'; (9) 'How are [beings] consoled?'; and (10) 'How are [they] subdued?' These ten questions all arise due to manifesting illness. The ten concerning the empty room are as in the sūtra text: (1) 'Why is this room empty?'; (2) 'Why are there no attendants?'; (3) Śāriputra thinking of seats; (4) the heavenly maiden in the room; (5) the eight unprecedented things; (6) universally manifesting bodily forms to ask about the various retinue; (7) Śāriputra thinking of food; (the commentator only mentions these seven matters, but now three more are added); (8) Vimalakīrti bidding the assembly to take food; (9) magically transforming a bodhisattva; and (10) magically transforming nine million lion seats. These latter three matters also arise due to the empty room. Therefore, the empty room gives rise to these ten matters.