法華經義記 2.8

2.8

"Also seeing the Buddha's sons, equipped with samādhi and wisdom": the seventeen and a half verses below are the third [part], raising the vision of bodhisattvas practicing miscellaneous practices as a question. Within the question regarding miscellaneous practices, there are five kinds of miscellaneous practice altogether: First, the one and a half verses from "Also seeing the Buddha's sons" explain seeing bodhisattvas expounding the Dharma and performing the Buddha's work. Second, the half verse "Crushing the armies of Māra and striking the Dharma drum" explains seeing bodhisattvas subduing Māra and performing the Buddha's work. Third, the one verse "Also seeing bodhisattvas quietly at peace and silent" explains seeing bodhisattvas in quietude and performing the Buddha's work. Fourth, the one verse below "Also seeing bodhisattvas dwelling in forests and emitting light" explains seeing bodhisattvas performing the Buddha's work by means of light. The above four ways of performing the Buddha's work are all not unfolded. Fifth, the thirteen and a half verses below "Also seeing the Buddha's sons, never sleeping" explain seeing bodhisattvas practicing the six perfections in a diverse manner to perform the Buddha's work. Herein, the first verse explains vigor; the next verse explains moral discipline; one and a half verses explain patience; two verses explain samādhi; five verses explain generosity; and three verses explain wisdom (prajñā). Why so? The one verse "Also seeing bodhisattvas never sleeping" explains vigor. The one verse below "Also seeing those complete in moral discipline" explains moral discipline. Next, the one and a half verses "Also seeing the Buddha's sons abiding in the power of patience" explain patience: if, when reviled with malice, it seems like praise, and when struck with swords and clubs, it seems like a rain of flowers, this may truly be called patience. Next, the two verses below "Also seeing bodhisattvas leaving all banter and laughter" explain samādhi. The five verses below "Or seeing bodhisattvas [giving] fine delicacies, food and drink" explain generosity. The three verses below "Or there are bodhisattvas expounding the dharma of quiescent extinction" explain wisdom (prajñā); within this there are three points: The first verse clarifies the marks of expounding the Dharma through wisdom, clarifying the ability to transform others. The next verse clarifies illuminating emptiness. The next verse clarifies illuminating existence. Now, emptiness and existence are both essential applications for one's own practice: understanding emptiness comes first, and understanding existence comes after.