法華經義記 7.21

7.21

"Bhikṣus, if the Tathāgata knows that the time of his nirvāṇa has arrived"—from this point downward is the third stage, explaining the present meeting. Within this there also should be four layers, but the text has only three; it omits the third layer, which could also be an error by the transmitters. Although it is missing, its meaning is brought out today. How do we know this? Because it is present in the parable below. If we now implicitly bring out the four layers: first, from "Bhikṣus" down to "deeply entered into meditative absorption", it first explains the arising of the sentient beings' capacity for the Great Vehicle; second, he preaches the Lotus Sūtra for their sake; third, it explains that tentative adaptation using the Great Vehicle did not succeed—this is what is brought out conceptually today; fourth, he preaches the Lesser Vehicle for their sake. Now, first explaining the arising of the capacity for the Great Vehicle: the words "Bhikṣus, if the Tathāgata knows that the time of his nirvāṇa has arrived" mean that when the Tathāgata preached the Lotus Sūtra, it was not far from the teaching of the Nirvāṇa Sūtra; with the capacity for the Great Vehicle arising, he then preached the Lotus Sūtra, hence it says "the time of his nirvāṇa has arrived". Another explanation says: precisely when the capacity for the Great Vehicle arises, the Tathāgata's work of transforming through the three vehicles is about to cease, hence it says "the time of his nirvāṇa has arrived". "The assembly is also pure": this directly explains the arising of the capacity for the Great Vehicle. If previously the five turbidities obstructed the capacity for the Great Vehicle, they were impure; when the capacity for the Great Vehicle arises, the five turbidities no longer pose an obstruction, which is called "pure". "Faith and understanding are resolute": in the past, their faith was also unaccomplished; now, causing the capacity for the Great Vehicle to arise in the present, they possess faith of the Great Vehicle. When the capacity for the Great Vehicle arises today, they possess understanding of the Great Vehicle; understanding is wisdom (prajñā); possessing the mutual support of faith, wisdom, and concentration (samādhi), the capacity for the Great Vehicle therefore arises. "Thoroughly penetrated the dharma of emptiness": this explains the previously mentioned markless dharma, hence it says "thoroughly penetrated the dharma of emptiness". "Then gathered the bodhisattvas"—from this point downward is the second [layer], directly preaching the Great Vehicle, which is the preaching of the Lotus Sūtra; "then gathered the bodhisattvas" refers to the meaning of the World-Honoured One being encircled by the fourfold assembly at that time. "In the world there are not two vehicles by which one attains extinction": this is opening the gate of skilful means. "Only by the One Buddha Vehicle does one attain extinction": this is revealing the real mark. Below this there should be the third [layer], using the Great Vehicle to tentatively adapt and transform sentient beings without success; now it is implicitly brought out as corresponding to what is in the parable below, which provides the basis below for the parable of flagging and turning back. "Bhikṣus, you should know that the Tathāgata's power of skilful means"—from this point downward is the fourth [layer], explaining that the Tathāgata succeeds in transforming sentient beings by means of the three vehicles. Within this fourth [layer] of succeeding in transforming sentient beings by means of the Lesser Vehicle, there are four passages of text: first, the words "the Tathāgata's power of skilful means penetrates deeply into the nature of sentient beings" first explain the tentative adaptation through the three vehicles; second, the words "knowing that their inclinations delight in lesser teachings and are deeply attached to the five desires" explain the Tathāgata seeing their capacity for the Lesser Vehicle; "for their sakes he speaks of nirvāṇa" is the third, directly preaching the teaching of the three vehicles for sentient beings; fourth, the words "if these people hear it, they then believe and accept it" explain the people of the three vehicles receiving and practicing it.