法華經義記 4.16

4.16

"At that time the Buddha addressed Śāriputra"—from here down is the third part, the response, which also has three sections: first, the causal origin of the exposition by parable; second, from "If in a state, city, or village" onwards through the end of the one hundred lines of verse, directly presenting the exposition by parable opening the three and revealing the One to transform people of middling capacity—since the middling capacity cohort has now understood the principle of identical return, they naturally know they will definitely attain Buddhahood; therefore, third, from "Śāriputra, this Dharma seal of mine" onwards to the end of the chapter, consisting of sixty-five lines of verse, directly encouraging and exhorting the people of middling capacity to receive and practice it. Furthermore, within these three sections, each divides into two. Within the causal origin there are two parts: first, ending at "all for the sake of transforming bodhisattvas", which rebukes the ordinary persons of middling capacity before Śāriputra; second, promising to provide an exposition by parable on the principle of identical return. The reason he first rebukes them is to arouse an indignant, stirred mind in the middling capacity cohort, causing them to be prompted to awaken through indignation. For all who possess conscious awareness converge together in becoming Buddhas; indeed, the principle is of a single accord and has no three differences.