大方廣

(大方廣, 大方广)

mahāvaipulya ; cf. [lang id =1028]大方等 The great Vaipulyas, or sutras of Mahāyāna. [lang id =1028]方廣 and [lang id =1028]方等 are similar in meaning. Vaipulya is extension, spaciousness, widespread, and this is the idea expressed both in [lang id =1028]廣 broad, widespread, as opposed to narrow, restricted, and in [lang id =1028]等 levelled up, equal everywhere, universal. These terms suggest the broadening of the basis of Buddhism, as is found in Mahāyāna. The Vaipulya works are styled sutras, for the broad doctrine of universalism, very different from the traditional account of his discourses, is put into the mouth of the Buddha in wider, or universal aspect. These sutras are those of universalism, of which the Lotus [lang id =1028]法華 is an outstanding example. The form Vaitulya instead of Vaipulya is found in some Kashgar MSS. of the Lotus, suggesting that in the Vetulla sect lies the origin of the Vaipulyas, and with them of Mahāyāna, but the evidence is inadequate.

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無外曰大， 正理曰方， 包富曰廣， 謂法華經唯談一乘實相之理， 具此三義， 故名大方廣。

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又名大方等， 方是方正的意思， 廣是廣大的意思， 是諸大乘經的通名。