As regards the topic, [the disciples] can respond to the teaching of the Sage, reflecting his trace like shadow and echo [that follow real form and sound]. This certainly is a case of exigency. Those superior men, thrice hearing it, were enlightened. The trace did not reach them earlier, and so they receive the prophecy later. Those who receive the prophecy later appear to be the truly dull receptacles. Now because [the Buddha] has disclosed that they are exigencies, the Path (Tao) is not available to dull enlightenment anymore.

Thereupon Pūrṇa, the son of Maitrāyanī having heard from the Buddha the Dharma expounded with expedients by the wisdom [of the Buddha] according to the capacities of all living beings, and having heard that [the Buddha] had assured the great disciples of their future attainment of Anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi, and also having heard of the previous life of the Buddha, and also having heard of the great, unhindered, supernatural powers of the Buddhas, had the greatest joy that he had ever had, became pure in heart, and felt like dancing [with joy].

Having heard from the Buddha the Dharma expounded with expedients by the wisdom [of the Buddha]

This refers to [the part], from Chapter [2]: “Expedient Devices” to [Chapter 4:] “Belief and Understanding”

having heard of the great, unhindered, supernatural powers of the Buddhas

They witnessed the story of what had occurred to [the Buddha] Victorious through Great Penetrating Knowledge as if it had happened today.

Had the greatest joy that he had ever had {In the face of the Buddha’s merits, we have not the words with which to express ourselves} , became pure in heart, and felt like dancing [with joy].

They have expressed that they have entertained inside their minds wondrous understanding. Their understanding has come from the Buddha; they have achieved the task thanks to the Buddha. Hence, [Pūrṇa said,] “In the face of the Buddha’s merits, we have not the words with which to express ourselves.”

Only the Buddha, only the World-Honored One, knows the wishes we have deep in our minds.’

They wished in the depth of their hearts for the Buddha to show the trace of his path, proclaiming [the doctrine] that is not of the Lesser Vehicle. Therefore, it is said: “only the Buddha, [the World-Honored One], is able to know [the vows we once took] with deep thought.”