法華經義記 3.26

3.26

“Śāriputra said: ‘Even so, World-Honoured One, we wish and delight to hear.’” Within the origin there were originally two: the first, the Buddha's consent, is already completed; this is the second, clarifying Śāriputra's respectful reception of the Buddha's consent. “The Buddha told Śāriputra: ‘Such a sublime dharma…’” In the prose there were originally two: the first is the origin, and the second is the proper exposition by dharma. From here downward is the second, the proper exposition by dharma. Within the proper exposition by dharma there are naturally two: first, expanding upon the approach of all Buddhas; second, expanding upon the approach of Śākya. Now, from “Such a sublime dharma” downward, the first broadly clarifies the unfolding of the three and the revealing of the one with respect to all Buddhas; this then expands upon the opening of the preceding chapter, which praised the two wisdoms, expedient and real, of all Buddhas. The reason it is called “expanding” is that above, in the first [section] vaguely opening the doctrine, he merely praised the two wisdoms of all Buddhas in a general manner, saying, “The wisdom of the Buddhas is extremely profound and measureless,” and its gate of wisdom is difficult to understand and difficult to enter. Second, in the distinct, brief explanation, he merely revealed the one, saying, “The World-Honoured One's dharma, after a long time, must ultimately expound the real.” Since he merely praised the two wisdoms of all Buddhas in general and did not separately clarify [each of] the Buddhas, and furthermore merely revealed the one, it is therefore called “brief.” Now, however, he broadly clarifies the Buddhas and broadly clarifies the principle; hence it is called “expanding.” “Expanding upon the Buddhas” means that here he broadly sets forth all Buddhas generally, as well as the Buddhas of the three periods of time individually; thus the meaning of expanding upon the Buddhas is profound. It is further said to “expand upon the principles” because above he merely praised the two wisdoms of all Buddhas and revealed the one, whereas here there are four further principles, making six principles in all: first, praising the dharma as rare; second, clarifying that it is not false to stop people's slander; third, clarifying the unfolding of the three; fourth, clarifying the revealing of the one; fifth, raising the five turbidities to explain the intention of first [teaching] three and later one; sixth, weeding out the false from the true to consolidate faith. Since these six principles are fully present, it is therefore called expanding upon the principles.