法華經義記 4.16

4.16

「爾時佛告舍利弗」自此下是第三答，亦有三段者，第一是譬說緣起，第二從「若國邑聚落」以下盡一百行偈以來，正是譬說開三顯一化中根人，但中根之徒既解同歸之理，自知必得佛，是故第三從「汝舍利弗我此法印」以下盡品有六十五行偈，即獎勸中根人受行也。又就此三段之中各開為二。緣起中二者：第一竟「皆為化菩薩故」，對舍利弗呵中根凡夫；第二許為譬說同歸之理。所以第一先呵者，此則發起中根之徒忿擊之心，令其因忿致啟。夫有心識者同歸作佛，然理唯一致無三差別。

"At that time the Buddha addressed Śāriputra"—from here down is the third part, the response, which also has three sections: first, the causal origin of the exposition by parable; second, from "If in a state, city, or village" onwards through the end of the one hundred lines of verse, directly presenting the exposition by parable opening the three and revealing the One to transform people of middling capacity—since the middling capacity cohort has now understood the principle of identical return, they naturally know they will definitely attain Buddhahood; therefore, third, from "Śāriputra, this Dharma seal of mine" onwards to the end of the chapter, consisting of sixty-five lines of verse, directly encouraging and exhorting the people of middling capacity to receive and practice it. Furthermore, within these three sections, each divides into two. Within the causal origin there are two parts: first, ending at "all for the sake of transforming bodhisattvas", which rebukes the ordinary persons of middling capacity before Śāriputra; second, promising to provide an exposition by parable on the principle of identical return. The reason he first rebukes them is to arouse an indignant, stirred mind in the middling capacity cohort, causing them to be prompted to awaken through indignation. For all who possess conscious awareness converge together in becoming Buddhas; indeed, the principle is of a single accord and has no three differences.