法華經義記 8.41

8.41

「佛言我亦如是」此下是第二合譬，此中略不合第三譬，唯合餘三也。今先合第一譬，上開譬本有四，「我亦如是」一句合第一「譬如良醫智慧聰達」也。從「成佛以來無量無邊」以下合第四「以有事緣遠至餘國」譬，不合第二第三譬也。上第二言「明練方藥善治眾病」，第三言「其人多諸子息若十二十乃至百數」也。「為眾生故」以下合第二現在神通益物譬，譬本有三，今不合第一第二譬，唯合第三譬不滅而現滅也。就此第三譬中自有三：第一明見佛時不生恭敬，第二明佛世難值，第三明現滅仍生恭敬。今唯合第二佛世難值譬，就中自有三階：第一「父作是念」以下明佛世難值，第二「即作是言」下明唱滅，第三「作是教已」下正明入涅槃也。今唯合第二唱入涅槃階，不合第一第三階也。「亦無有能」此下，即合上第四益物不虛妄譬也。

From "The Buddha said: 'I too am like this'" onward is the second [section], the application of the parable. Here the third parable is omitted from the application, applying only the other three. Now, to apply the first parable first: above, in opening the parable, there were originally four [elements]. The single phrase "I too am like this" applies the first [element]: "just like an excellent physician, wise and intelligent." From "since I attained Buddhahood, immeasurable and boundless [kalpas have passed]" onward applies the fourth parable: "having a reason on business, he traveled far to another country," without applying the second and third parables. Above, the second stated: "thoroughly practiced in compounding medicines, he was skilled at curing multiple illnesses"; the third stated: "that man had many sons, whether ten, twenty, or even up to a hundred." From "for the sake of sentient beings" onward applies the second [parable]: benefiting beings through supernormal powers in the present. In the parable there were originally three [elements]; here the first and second parables are not applied, applying only the third parable, [namely] manifesting extinction while not becoming extinct. Within this third parable there are themselves three [points]: first, explaining that upon seeing the Buddha they do not produce reverence; second, explaining that an era with a Buddha is difficult to encounter; third, explaining that manifesting extinction nevertheless produces reverence. Here it applies only the second parable, that an era with a Buddha is difficult to encounter, within which there are themselves three stages: first, from "the father had this thought" onward explains that an era with a Buddha is difficult to encounter; second, from "he then uttered these words" onward explains proclaiming extinction; third, from "having given this instruction" onward properly explains entering nirvāṇa. Here it applies only the second stage of proclaiming entry into nirvāṇa, without applying the first and third stages. From "nor can anyone [say that I am guilty of falsehood]" onward applies the fourth parable above, that benefiting beings is not false.