法華經義記 4.6

4.6

"And spoke in verse": earlier it was said that in the proper receptive understanding there are two parts: first is prose, and from here downward is the second, the verse recitation. But in the prose above there were originally three sections: first, properly declaring oneself to have attained understanding; second, repenting faults and reproaching oneself; third, concluding the receptive understanding. Now, within these twenty-five and a half verses, they are divided into four sections: first, there are eleven and a half verses, which versify the first section of the prose above, properly declaring oneself to have attained understanding. Second, from "I originally clung to wrong views" downward, there are five verses, which versify the second section above, repenting faults and reproaching oneself. Third, from "When I first heard what the Buddha taught" downward, there are six and a half verses, which bring out the meaning in verse and do not versify the prose above. The prose above directly clarified past doubt and regret contrasting with present joy, and did not state that today a new doubt was eliminated; now these six and a half verses properly clarify the elimination of doubt today, so we know they do not versify the prose above. Fourth, from "Hearing the Buddha's soft and gentle voice" downward, the two and a half verses versify the third section in the prose above, concluding the receptive understanding. Furthermore, in the first section of the prose above, properly declaring oneself to have attained understanding, there were originally two parts: first, properly declaring oneself to have attained understanding; second, adducing past sorrow to contrast with and explain present joy. Now, within the eleven and a half verses, they are also divided into two: first, there are two and a half verses, which versify the first proper receptive understanding above. Second, from "When I dwelt in mountain valleys" downward, there are nine verses, which versify the second part, adducing past sorrow to contrast with and explain present joy. Now, within the first two and a half verses, there are naturally three steps: first, there are three lines that properly versify the receptive understanding above; above it stated, "and said to the Buddha: 'Now having heard this voice of the Dharma from the World-Honoured One, my heart is leaping with joy, having attained what I had never had before'". Second, from "The net of doubts has all been eliminated" downward, there are also three lines, which clarify that confusion is extinguished and understanding is produced. Yet confusion being extinguished and understanding being produced must depend on the Buddha; therefore, third, the one verse of "The Buddha's voice is extremely rare" praises the Tathāgata to conclude the attainment of understanding.