抄録
It is apt to say that Vimalakirti is a layman and the Vimalakirtinirdesa (abbreviated to Vkn) is a typical sutra of Laymen Buddhism. However, it is not adequate to see Vimalakirti in Vkn as just a wealthy townsman residing in Vaisali. Actually, towards the end of the sutra, it was unveiled that he came from the presence of Aksobhya in the universe Abhirati to this world solely for the purpose of liberating living beings. Therefore we could say that everything and anything around him including his existence itself are just a vision. His eloquence is supreme, and his miraculous feats are in no way inferior to those of the Buddha himself; we could see him as an emanated incarnation (nirmanakaya) of the Buddha. The figure of Vimalakirti as a layman might have been effected by Chinese philosophy, particularly in the Song period.
The bodhisattva doctrine taught by Vimalakirti is unusually logical and analytical, as it is inextricably linked with the teaching of non-duality (advayadharmamukha). From the emphasis on wisdom rather than compassion, we can say that the bodhisattva doctrine of Vkn is in the early phase of development according to Har Dayal.
