法華經義記 8.36

8.36

「諸子於後飲他毒藥」此下為上第二段現在神通益物作譬。上本有三段，初先明不生而現生，次中間明神通益物，此明不滅而現滅。今為三階作譬，第一一行半為第一作譬，第二「諸子飲毒」以下為第二作譬，第三「餘失心者」以下為第三作譬也。上不生現生中本有四義：第一明見眾生有感生之機，第二明如來現生，第三明而實不生，第四釋不生而現生意也。今唯為前二階作譬，今言「諸子於後飲他毒藥」下，為第一見感生機作譬，上言「如來見諸眾生樂於小法德薄垢重」，今言「諸子於後飲他毒藥，藥發悶亂宛轉於地」者，明眾生昔日已逕受如來正化，棄背之後遇惡知識受邪見教，各飲他毒藥廣起煩惱業，如「藥發」也，後輪轉三途，如「宛轉于地」也。「是時其父還來歸家」，即此為上第二階現生作譬，上言「為是人說言我少出家得三菩提」也。不為第三第四作譬也。

'The sons afterwards drank other poisonous medicine': this and what follows makes a parable for the second section above, benefiting beings through supernormal powers in the present. Above, there were originally three sections: first, explaining manifesting birth while unborn; next, in the middle, explaining benefiting beings through supernormal powers; [third,] explaining manifesting extinction while unextinguished. Now, parables are made for three tiers: first, one and a half lines make a parable for the first; second, from 'the sons drank poison' onward makes a parable for the second; third, from 'the others who had lost their minds' onward makes a parable for the third. Within the above manifesting birth while unborn, there were originally four meanings: first, explaining seeing that sentient beings have the capacity to respond to birth; second, explaining the Tathāgata's manifesting birth; third, explaining that in reality he is unborn; fourth, explaining the intention behind manifesting birth while unborn. Now, parables are made only for the first two tiers. Now, the statement 'The sons afterwards drank other poisonous medicine' and what follows makes a parable for the first, seeing the capacity to respond to birth. Above it said: 'The Tathāgata sees that sentient beings take pleasure in inferior dharmas, are meager in virtue and heavy in defilement.' Now to say 'The sons afterwards drank other poisonous medicine; the poison took effect, throwing them into delirium, and they rolled about on the ground' explains that sentient beings in the past had already undergone the Tathāgata's correct transformation, but after abandoning and turning their backs on it, met bad spiritual companions and received teachings of wrong views, each drinking other poisonous medicine and broadly initiating defilements and karmas, which is like 'the poison took effect'; later, they transmigrated through the three destinies, which is like 'rolling about on the ground'. 'At that time their father returned home': this directly makes a parable for the second tier above, manifesting birth. Above it said: 'To these people I said, "In my youth I left home and attained sambodhi."' No parables are made for the third and fourth.