本業瓔珞經疏 1.2

1.2

From 'At that time the great assembly' onwards, in the surviving text of the preface confirming faith, the sixth section explains the merits praised of those who heard together. Question: Manifesting what marks did these bodhisattvas come and enter this bodhimaṇḍa assembly of this realm? Answer: Bodhisattva-mahāsattvas trace manifestations of the three karmic actions to assist in glorifying the Great Vehicle and to establish faith for the Buddha; therefore they are in this assembly. Regarding this hearing together, there are two parts: first, from the initial explanation to 'flowing into all buddha-lands of the ten directions', directly praising the merits of the bodhisattvas who heard together; second, from 'boundless in the eastern sky' onwards, listing the names of those endowed with merits. Within the first part, there are altogether three subdivisions: in the sūtra text, the first is from the beginning up to 'guiding and benefiting sentient beings', praising their bodily karma; the second is from 'hearing the Buddha's Dharma treasury' up to 'having no discrimination', praising their mental karma; the third is from 'with the mouth of great compassion' up to 'all buddha-lands', praising their vocal karma.