On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v2.c18.s2.23

v2.c18.s2.23

As to Vimalakīrti "displaying sickness" and preaching, the pilgrim is here referring to the sūtra which he had mentioned by name. In it we find that Vimalakīrti has recourse to the device of sickness in order to attract the Buddha's attention to him, and the discourses of the book are linked on in an ingenious manner to this feigning of illness. When Buddha proposes to one after another of his arhats and P'usas to go to Vimalakīrti's house and enquire about his state of health, each one of them declines and gives his reasons; these embody praises of the very wise and clever dialectician who was the patient. Afterwards Buddha himself converses with the "Elder", and draws from him further "incomprehensible expositions".