法華經義記 2.5

2.5

Now, within the forty-eight and a half lines, it is broadly divided into three parts: first, from "In all worlds" downward, eight and a half lines, which first concisely reiterate seeing the three kinds of auspicious signs in other directions. Moving on to the third: from "I see in those lands bodhisattvas [numerous as] Ganges sands" downward, thirty-eight and a half lines, which extensively reiterate in verse the questions on two auspicious signs, namely, the practice of the great beings of other directions, and other-directional Buddhas entering parinirvāṇa, up to the erection of stūpas and making of offerings. Returning to the second: from "Mañjuśrī, as I abide here" downward, there is one verse and a half, designated as concluding the preceding concise [exposition] and opening the subsequent extensive [exposition]. As for the initial eight and a half lines concisely reiterating the three auspicious signs: first there is one verse and a half, reiterating the first [sign], seeing the sentient beings of the six destinies; second is a half-line, reiterating the second [sign], seeing the Buddhas of the eastern direction; third there are six lines and a half, reiterating the third [sign], hearing the Buddhas of other directions preach the Dharma. Furthermore, within the first verse and a half there are two stages of their own: the first verse and one line formally reiterate what is seen; the second line, saying "From here I fully see," clarifies the ability to see. Within what is seen there are four meanings in all: the initial half-verse below "In all worlds" formally clarifies the six destinies; the single line "the destinations of birth and death" clarifies that these are designated as birth and death; the single line "karmic conditions of good and evil" clarifies the cause; the single line "receiving recompense, fine or ugly" clarifies the fruition of retribution. "Karmic conditions of good and evil": this is the cause of the six destinies. The two words "good" and "evil" are distinct: good is the cause of the three good destinies, and evil is the cause of the three evil destinies. The two words "karmic conditions" are common to both good and evil. "Receiving recompense, fine or ugly": the two words "receiving recompense" comprehensively cite the fruit of the six destinies; the three good destinies are also receiving recompense, and the three evil destinies are also receiving recompense. The two words "fine" and "ugly" distinctively name the attainment of the fruit and recompense of the six destinies. How is this known to be so? "Fine" is the fruition of retribution of the three good destinies, and "ugly" is the fruition of retribution of the three evil destinies. "Again beholding the Buddhas, holy lords and lions": this half-line is the second, namely reiterating seeing the Buddhas of the eastern direction. "Expounding the sūtras": below this there are six and a half lines of verse, which are the third, namely reiterating hearing the Buddhas of other directions preach the Dharma. Within the six and a half lines there are five stages of their own: first, saying "Expounding the sūtras, subtle, wondrous, and foremost," half a verse, asks: "For what reason does he cause me to hear the Buddha preach the Dharma that surpasses heavenly Māras and non-Buddhists?" Second, "His voice is pure," one verse, asks: "For what reason does he cause me to hear the Buddha preach the Dharma that surpasses the multitude of sages?" Third, "The Brahmā sound is profound and subtle," one verse, asks: "For what reason does he cause me to hear the Buddha preach the Dharma that gladdens the hearts of the assembly of the time?" Fourth, "With various causes and conditions," one verse, asks: "For what reason does he cause me to hear the Buddha preach the Dharma that is able to propagate the Buddha-Way above and save sentient beings below?" The first three lines clarify propagating the Buddha-Way above; the single line "awakening sentient beings" clarifies saving the multitude below. Fifth, from "If someone encounters suffering" downward, three lines, asks: "For what reason does he cause me to hear the Buddha preach the Dharma that accords with the capacities of the persons of the three vehicles?" The three lines speak of the three vehicles: the first verse is for the śrāvakas, the verse "If someone has merit" is for the pratyekabuddhas, and the verse "If there is a son of the Buddha" is for the bodhisattvas.