法華經義記 3.62

3.62

Below "You, Śāriputra, whether śrāvakas or bodhisattvas...", in the exposition by dharma converting persons of superior faculties, originally there were two [parts]: above, from "You have already earnestly requested three times" down to the preceding one hundred and fourteen verses, was the primary exposition by dharma converting persons of superior faculties, wherein persons of superior faculties together gained understanding of the principle of disclosing the three and revealing the One, converging in oneness without the distinction of three; therefore, from this point on there are seven verses, which are the second [part], briefly encouraging and exhorting persons of superior faculties. Regarding practice to attain the fruition, in the primary exposition by dharma above it was originally said that there were two [forms], the prose and the verses; now, within these seven verses of encouragement and exhortation there are likewise two: first, there are five and a half verses exhorting and encouraging persons of superior faculties to practise the cause; second, the one and a half verses below "Since you already know..." encourage and exhort persons of superior faculties to aspire to the fruition. The former exhortation to practise the cause is transforming others; the latter exhortation to aspire to the fruition is one's own practice; this is what is meant by 'bodhisattva'. Furthermore, within these two sections each has three levels. Within encouraging and exhorting the practice of the cause, the three levels are: first, there are two verses which first bring out the Dharma to be propagated, which is this sūtra. The essence of practising the cause is simply to propagate the sūtra to benefit beings, combining one's own practice with [benefiting] others; hence the sūtra to be propagated is brought out first. Second, there are again two verses directly encouraging and exhorting the propagation of the sūtra, which is practising the cause. Third, the one and a half verses below "Śāriputra, you should know" double-conclude the above two sections. Furthermore, within these three sections each has two levels. Within the first, bringing out the sūtra to be propagated, the two levels are: the first verse is the first, directly praising and bringing out the sūtra to be propagated; the second verse explains and concludes the above. "You should know that this sublime Dharma is the secret essential of the Buddhas"—this sūtra can cause people to escape saṃsāra and attain nirvāṇa, which is the meaning of 'essential'; from the beginning this sublime Dharma could not yet be spoken, which is the meaning of 'secret'. The one verse "Because of the turbid and evil world" is the second, explaining the meaning of 'secret essential' above: solely because sentient beings of the five turbidities delight in and cling to the five dusts and six desires, and these kinds of beings have no mind to seek the Buddha-path, this Lotus [Sūtra] could not be spoken; this is the meaning of 'secret essential'. Within the second, directly encouraging and exhorting the practice of the cause, the two levels are: first, the verse below stating "Evil people of future ages..." admonishes that when practising the cause, one must not preach it for evil people; second, the verse below stating "Those with shame, remorse, and purity..." encourages preaching it universally for good people. Within the third, the double conclusion, the two levels are: first, the verse below stating "Śāriputra, you should know..." concludes the first [level] above on bringing out the sūtra to be propagated; second, the half-verse stating "Those who do not study and train cannot understand this" concludes the second [level] above directly clarifying the method of propagating the sūtra: for those who do not study and train, do not preach it for them. This half[-verse] directly concludes the first verse; when concluding the latter verse, by inverting [the meaning] it can be understood: one should know that for those who study and can understand, it should be preached. The one and a half verses below "Since you already know" are the second [part], encouraging and exhorting persons of superior faculties to aspire to the fruition, within which there are also three: first, there are three lines of verse explaining that persons of superior faculties attain understanding of the meaning of the three and the One; second, the line stating "No longer having any doubts or delusions" explains that delusions are eliminated for persons of superior faculties and others; third, the half-verse below "Giving rise to great joy in their hearts" directly encourages and exhorts aspiring to the fruition.