維摩經疏卷第三．第六 3.3

3.3

第二釋名者。佛具勝德名天人師。聲聞等親蒙佛度稱為弟子。此乃師徒弟子相對得名也。又云。學在佛後名之為弟。從法化生稱之為子。所命之人是其弟子。就此題章名弟子品。若依無垢稱經云聲聞品。若言弟子品恐同菩薩也。

Second, regarding the explanation of the title: The Buddha is endowed with superior virtues and is called the Teacher of Gods and Humans. The śrāvakas and others, personally receiving liberation from the Buddha, are called "disciples." This is a reciprocal naming between master and disciple. It is also said: learning after the Buddha, they are called "younger brothers" (di); born transformed from the Dharma, they are called "sons" (zi). Those who were commanded are his disciples. With respect to this theme, it is titled the "Chapter on the Disciples." According to the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa Sūtra, it is called the "Chapter on the Śrāvakas." If it were called the "Chapter on the Disciples," it might be feared to include the bodhisattvas.