Tao-sheng Commentary on the Lotus Sutra, p167They never faltered in [seeking] Anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi. They had already obtained dharanis, turned the irrevocable wheel of the Dharma with eloquence according to the wishes [of all living beings], made offerings to many hundreds of thousands of Buddhas, and planted the roots of virtue under those Buddhas, by whom they had always been praised. They had already trained themselves out of their compassion towards others, entered the Way to the wisdom of the Buddha, obtained [penetrated] great wisdom, and reached the Other Shore so that their fame had already extended over innumerable worlds. They had already saved many hundreds of thousands of living beings.
This refers to the conduct that took place in the past [lives].
[The passage] following this phrase illustrates the merits of the bodhisattvas through three kinds of deeds (karman). Having sympathy for, and taking care of, the weak and the deprived is what is meant by “cultivating themselves through compassion.” The word body [of cultivating themselves or, literally, cultivating body] implies both mouth and mind as well.
This word (great wisdom) refers to what they have obtained for themselves. Penetration means “[reaching] to the substratum.”
[Having reached the Other Shore] refers to what they have reached at the ultimate end.
Whereas their virtues were established internally their fame spread outward. Their merit and fame having been established, the news spread outward.