法華經義記 2.9

2.9

"Mañjuśrī, there are also bodhisattvas who, after the Buddha's passing into extinction, make offerings to relics": the seven verses from here down are the second [part], versifying the sixth question on building stūpas and making offerings after the parinirvāṇa of other Buddhas. Within these seven verses there are three sections: The first verse [concerns those who] have not yet had the leisure to build stūpas, for now clarifying the honoring of and making offerings to the relics. Second, the four verses from "Also seeing the Buddha's sons constructing various stūpas and temples" directly clarify building stūpas and making offerings. Third, the two verses from "Mañjuśrī, these Buddha's sons" resolve doubts and conclude the meaning of making offerings. Just within the second [section] of four verses on building stūpas and making offerings, there are four tiers: The first verse directly clarifies constructing various stūpas and temples. The second verse recounts the measurements of the stūpas. The third verse recounts the implements of adornment. The fourth verse recounts the assembly of that time providing articles to make offerings to the stūpas. Why so? First, the one verse below "Also seeing the Buddha's sons constructing various stūpas and temples" directly clarifies building stūpas for the sake of the relics. The one verse "The precious stūpas are lofty and sublime" is the second, recounting the broad and narrow, long and short aspects of the measurements of the stūpas. "Five thousand yojanas high": one yojana is forty li; four times five is twenty, so that is two hundred thousand li. It also says these stūpas are "two thousand yojanas in length and breadth"; four times two is eight, so that is eighty thousand li. The verse below "Each stūpa and temple has a thousand banners and streamers" is the third, recounting the implements of adornment. The one verse "Devas, dragons, and spirits" is the fourth, clarifying the assembly of that time providing articles to make offerings to the stūpas. The two verses below "Mañjuśrī, these Buddha's sons" are the third, resolving doubts and concluding the intent of making offerings. The assembly of that time doubted, saying: "You said above that they construct various stūpas and temples to adorn the realm; if so, it was only for the sake of adorning the realm, and thus there is no intention of making offerings." Now, these two verses resolve the doubt, saying: "The realm naturally becomes exceptionally fine and wonderful; that was not my original intention. Originally it was not for adorning the realm, but only that after constructing the stūpas and temples, they cast radiance over the realm." The one and a half verses on "naturally fine" are the exposition by dharma; the half verse below presents the exposition by parable, saying, "Like the king of heavenly trees when its flowers bloom." This is like the Pārijātaka tree: planting this tree was originally to obtain fruit to support oneself, not to seek flowers to adorn the tree; but when the flowers bloom, the tree is naturally fine. It is no different with having stūpas within the realm: this realm naturally becomes fine.