法華經義記 2.41

2.41

From "At that time Mañjuśrī spoke in verse": within the first, the direct reply, there are two parts: first the prose, and second the verses; from here down is precisely the second, the verses. However, within the prose above there were originally four sections; now they are abbreviated and not versified. The first, contemplation and reflection, is also abbreviated and not versified; the second briefly cited what had been seen, being a slightly more distinct brief reply; it only versifies the third, extensively citing the past to substantiate the present, and also versifies the fourth, distinctly concluding the answer. From here down there are forty-three stanzas of verse, which are also divided into two: first there are forty-one stanzas of verse, which directly versify the third above, the identity of events extensively cited; second, from "I saw that the light and omens of Lamp-Brightness Buddha were originally like this" downward, there are two stanzas of verse, which versify the fourth in the prose above, distinctly concluding the answer. But within the extensive citation of identical events above, there are again two parts: first, clarifying that matters already seen are identical with matters seen previously; second, clarifying that matters to be seen should be identical with matters seen previously. Now these forty-one verses are also divided into two: first there are eighteen and a half stanzas, versifying that matters already seen are identical; second, from "Honored One revered by gods and humans" downward, there are twenty-two and a half stanzas, versifying that matters to be seen above should be identical. However, among the matters already seen above there were seven identical matters in all, but the text was divided into three sections; now the verse abbreviates them, still only versifying the first and third, and does not versify the second. The present eighteen and a half stanzas are provisionally divided into two: first there are two stanzas, versifying the first section; from "Before the Buddha left home" downward, there are sixteen and a half stanzas, versifying the third section above. In the first section above there were originally three [parts]; now the two stanzas of verse completely versify them: the first half-stanza versifies the first, the times and kalpa-numbers; the second half-stanza, among the second, the common and distinct titles, only versifies the distinct title, omitting and not versifying the common title. The latter stanza versifies the third, the identity of two matters: the first line versifies the identity of the seven goods; the next three lines versify the second, the identity of the teaching of the three vehicles. Above, in clarifying the identity of the seven goods, there were general and distinct aspects; now the single line "The World-Honoured One expounded the Dharma" versifies the general line above, 'expounded the correct Dharma', omitting and not versifying the distinct clarification. The three lines of verse below "Saved immeasurable sentient beings" abbreviate and versify the second above, the identity of the teaching of the three vehicles. This single line, "Saved immeasurable sentient beings", can combine the versification of the śrāvaka and pratyekabuddha vehicles above. The two lines below "Countless kotis of bodhisattvas" versify the bodhisattva vehicle above.