仁王護國般若波羅蜜多經疏 1.27

1.27

Second, regarding that which is subsumed under the divisions: the meaning of the twelve divisions is fully detailed in a separate chapter; here we merely list their names and briefly match them to the sūtra. First, sūtra. This has general and specific [meanings]: generally, all twelve are called sūtras; specifically, it refers to the meanings that should be expressed in prose, which this sūtra possesses completely. Second, geya. What has already been spoken in prose is restated in verse; this refers to the seven-syllable verses in the "Chapter on the Bodhisattva Practices"—although the Buddha spoke in prose, the king praised in verse by repeating the prose, which is precisely restating in verse; furthermore, the five-syllable verses in the "Chapter on Upholding" are this. Third, vyākaraṇa. This has three marks: first, predicting a great being's future attainment of buddhahood; second, predicting that a disciple will die here and be born there; third, predicting and explaining the meaning of phenomena; now, in this sūtra, it can apply to the third. Fourth, gāthā. This refers to what was not spoken before but is clarified directly in verse, such as the two sets of verses in five-syllable and four-syllable lines in the "Chapter on the Two Truths" and the "Chapter on Protecting the State." Fifth, udāna. This refers to speaking spontaneously without waiting for questions upon observing the faculties of beings, in order to make the Dharma endure long and reveal the Buddha's deep compassion, such as when the "Chapter on Contemplating the Tathāgata" says: "Good sons! I shall now first explain for all bodhisattva-mahāsattvas the practices for protecting the fruit of buddhahood and protecting the ten bhūmis," and so forth. Sixth, nidāna. This has three marks: first, establishing precepts due to transgressions; second, speaking Dharma due to circumstances; third, speaking Dharma due to requests. Now this sūtra applies to the second and third, because in the "Chapter on Entrustment" admonitions are spoken due to circumstances, and throughout the text teachings are spoken due to requests. Seventh, avadāna. This refers to using parables and analogies to explain the Dharma that is spoken, such as when the sūtra below says: "Even if worlds as many as the sands of the Ganges were filled with the seven treasures and used to give alms to sattvas of the great chiliocosm so that they attained the fruit of arhatship," and so forth. Eighth, itivṛttaka. This refers to speaking of disciples and teachings of the past, excluding oneself. That is, the "Chapter on the Bodhisattva Practices" states that King Prasenajit was a bodhisattva of the fourth bhūmi, as well as the events of Samantaprabha, King Kalmāṣapāda, and others protecting their states below. Ninth, jātaka. This speaks of the Buddha himself in past lives in various places, whether dying or being born, practicing the bodhisattva path. That is, he himself says that he was a bodhisattva of the eighth bhūmi, and below, Mūrdhata wishing to destroy Śakra; the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: "At that time, Mūrdhata was precisely my own person," clarifying the Buddha's causes. Tenth, vaipulya. This has two marks: first, explaining the practice of the bodhisattva path; second, because the dharmas are vast, numerous, extremely lofty, and great; this sūtra possesses both. Eleventh, adbhutadharma. This explains the common virtues of the eight assemblies and other supreme, extraordinary, and astonishing matters, such as when the sūtra below says: "If a person hears of the fourteen kṣāntis, they will not be born in the evil destinies and will attain bodhi," and so forth. Furthermore, Kalmāṣapāda heard the Dharma and realized the samādhi of emptiness, and there is the supernatural manifestation of scattering flowers in the "Chapter on the Inconceivable." Twelfth, upadeśa. This refers to the thorough investigation and study of the classical scriptures. Mātṛkā: all definitive sūtras may be called mātṛkā. Now, in this sūtra, following the preceding and initiating what follows, inquiring into nature and characteristics, and speaking in a thorough and investigated manner, it is an upadeśa sūtra; thus it possesses all twelve.