維摩經疏卷第三．第六 3.64

3.64

"The Buddha told Ānanda": this translates as "Joy". According to the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa, the name is established based on three causal conditions: first, receiving the name from a primal vow; second, the parents giving the name; third, receiving the name because people are delighted upon seeing him. First, receiving the name from a primal vow: when Śākyamuni Buddha was on the causal stage as a potter, he encountered the past original teacher Śākyamuni. That Buddha had an attendant who retained what he heard named Ānanda. He then made a vow: "May I, when I attain Buddhahood in the future, also be named Śākyamuni, and may my attendant who retains what he hears also be like Ānanda today." It was also because he had made the vow to be the Buddha's attendant life after life; through past causes he was now able to be the Buddha's attendant; hence Ānanda was called "Joy". Second, the parents giving the name: when the Tathāgata was about to attain the Way, the demon king became enraged and came with eighteen hundred million demon troops to harass the bodhisattva. The bodhisattva's mind was correct and the demons all dispersed in retreat. [A demon] then went to King Śuddhodana and said: "Last night, when your son was about to attain the Way, he was destroyed by Māra and has now died." The king and his retinue all felt sorrow and distress beyond endurance. A deva of the Śuddhāvāsa heaven then informed the king: "You need not be grieved; your son has already attained complete awakening; do not worry or suffer." The king was still in doubt, and immediately sent an emissary to inquire. The emissary returned and reported to the king: "The crown prince has already attained complete awakening." The king, his retinue, and the officials and commoners throughout the land all rejoiced greatly. In a short moment, King Droṇodana again reported to King Śuddhodana: "My lady has given birth to a boy." The king rejoiced even more: "Could any worldly rejoicing surpass ours?" Because he was born at the very time of rejoicing, he gave him his name, calling him "Joy". Third, receiving the name because people are delighted upon seeing him: because Ānanda had perfected the practice of benevolence and patience life after life, he received as retribution the most supreme marks and dignified physical form; anyone who saw him was gladdened in spirit, and there was no one who did not cherish and revere him; hence he was called "Joy". Therefore Master Jing said: "Ānanda was the Buddha's cousin, with karmic connections tied to the past; his name was marked at the beginning of the vow; his birth took place at the conclusion of [the Buddha's] attaining the Way. His face was like the full moon, his eyes like blue lotus flowers; he could gladden the spirits of those who saw him and also bring joy to the royal father. Because he fully possessed these three meanings, he was called 'Joy'." Among the disciples, he was foremost in hearing much. Because he did not know that the Tathāgata's dharmakāya is an eternal body whose nature is devoid of artificiality, he was also rebuked.