維摩經疏卷第三．第六 6.69

6.69

From here below is the second [part], contrasting it with the offering of Dharma to show that [material offering] falls short. Within this there are two parts: 1. questions and answers broadly explaining that the offering of Dharma surpasses the preceding material offerings; 2. from “The Buddha told Śakra: When Prince Candracchattra heard this Dharma” below, revealing that the offering of Dharma has great and superior benefits: awakening to compliant tolerance and practicing the offering of Dharma. Within the first there are distinctively three rounds of questions and answers. In the first there are two sentences: 1. Prince Candracchattra, sitting alone, contemplated: “Could there be any offering superior to this?” 2. From “By the supernormal power” below, by the Buddha's supernormal power, a voice in the sky guided him, [stating that] the offering of Dharma is superior. In the second section, the sentences also have two parts: 1. Prince Candracchattra asked: “What is called the offering of Dharma?” 2. The god in the sky instructed him to ask Bhaiṣajyarāja Tathāgata. In the third section, the text also has two parts: 1. Prince Candracchattra went to Bhaiṣajyarāja and asked about the offering of Dharma; 2. the Tathāgata explained it for him. Within the explanation, it first says: “As for the offering of Dharma...”, marking what was asked; below it directly explains it. There are two parts: 1. setting forth the essence of the Dharma; 2. from “If having heard sūtras such as these” below, contrasting it with the preceding Dharma to explain the offering. Within the explanation of the essence of the Dharma, the text is divided into two parts: 1. distinguishing the characteristics of the essence of the Dharma; 2. from “It is able to cause sentient beings to sit upon the bodhimanda” below, revealing the superiority of the Dharma.