淨名經集解關中疏 1.17

1.17

“Bodhisattvas”: Below, the second part lists the assembly of bodhisattvas. The text has five sections: first, presenting the name; second, explaining the number; third, praising their virtues; fourth, listing their names; fifth, general conclusion. This is the first. Zhao says: “The correct Sanskrit sound for bodhisattva is bodhisattva. Bodhi is the Buddha-way. Sattva in Qin means great mind. Sentient beings who have a great mind enter the Buddha-way. That is, because they seek the Way for the sake of beings with great compassion and wisdom, and boundless practices and vows, they are named accordingly.” Shi says: “There are altogether three kinds of mahāsattvas: first, those who have left home; second, householders; third, those who have come from other regions. Furthermore, first, those with bodies of karmic defilements; second, those with dharmakāyas. The bodhisattvas here are mostly those of the dharmakāya. However, their forms responding to conditions share the same traces as sentient beings. Beings might evaluate them based only on what they see and produce thoughts of them as inferior; therefore the great number is presented first, and then their virtues are recounted.”