法華經義記 3.4

3.4

Commentators say: "As for why the prose above first praised expedient wisdom and afterwards praised real wisdom, this clarifies that the intent of Śākya's appearing in the world was first the expedient and afterwards the real; as for why in the verse it first summarizes real wisdom and afterwards summarizes expedient wisdom, this clarifies that when it is today's real function, these are all mutually raised back and forth, alternately reflecting each other so that their meaning naturally becomes manifest. Furthermore, in saying that in the prose there was the proper praise of real wisdom and there was an explanation, whereas the verse only summarizes the explanatory phrase: this clarifies the meaning that their substance is one while their functions differ. The prose above speaks of the meaning that their functions differ. How is this known? Wisdom has discerning illumination as its meaning. Wishing to clarify that the objects illuminated by real wisdom possess the fourfold unity—the unity of teaching, the unity of principle, the unity of capacity, and the unity of person—the Tathāgata's wisdom illuminates these four objects, hence it is called real wisdom. Various virtues such as the powers and fearlessnesses are not called discerning illumination; hence we know that the prose relies on their functions. That the verse only summarizes the various virtues clarifies that virtue and wisdom are merely a single substance; apart from these powers, fearlessnesses, liberations, and samādhis, there is no separate wisdom, nor is there any separate virtue apart from this wisdom. Therefore, we know that their substance is one, while relying on function there is the difference between virtue and wisdom; setting aside function to discuss substance, wisdom and virtue are merely a single substance. These are all mutually raised back and forth, both meanings being elucidated together. Furthermore, in saying that the prose praising Śākya's two wisdoms did not point out the persons who do not know, whereas now the verse says 'none are able to measure them', which points out the persons who do not know, this also mutually raises them back and forth. If the verse points out the persons who do not know, the prose should also have pointed them out; since the prose did not point them out, the verse should also not have had them; yet one has it and one lacks it: this is mutual illumination to clarify the meaning."