維摩經疏卷第三．第六 3.65

3.65

The four textual sections are as before. In the third, the explanation, there is first a general inquiry, followed by a specific explanation. Within the specific, there are five [parts]: first, presenting the past matter of being rebuked; second, from "Vimalakīrti said, 'Stop, stop'" onward, clarifying the manner of teaching and rebuking; third, from "At that time I, Bhagavat, indeed felt shame" onward, revealing his own humiliation; fourth, from "Immediately he heard" onward, the voice in the air guides and harmonizes both parties; fifth, from "Bhagavat, Vimalakīrti" onward, the monk Ānanda praises Vimalakīrti's virtues. In the first [part], there are three sentences. First, clarifying that Ānanda was begging milk for the Buddha. From "At that time Vimalakīrti" onward, Vimalakīrti questions him with surprise. From "I said" onward, Ānanda gives a direct reply. In the first sentence, "the Bhagavat had a slight physical indisposition": he was afflicted by a wind disease; since cow's milk cures wind [disorders], he needed to beg for it. As for Vimalakīrti's questioning: begging out of season must have a reason, hence he needed to ask. In the reply, because within the Hīnayāna teachings it is said that the Buddha actually has birth, old age, sickness, and death, he gave this reply. In such a principle, Ānanda was a great bodhisattva who knew that the Buddha has no sickness; he acted in accord with the śrāvakas in order to bring about transformation.