法華經義記 7.27

7.27

From "Having had this thought" onwards is the third [point], properly conjuring the illusory city for them. Within this there are naturally two sections: first, he reflects beforehand on creating the illusory city; this was not stated in the original parable. The knowledge of exhaustion and the knowledge of non-arising—these two knowledges fundamentally transcend the three realms; that is the meaning of passing three hundred yojanas. From "He addressed the multitude, saying" onwards is the second [section], properly conjuring the illusory city for them. Within this there are four phrases, emerging from the original parable above, and their elaboration is analogous to that in the burning house [parable]. First, it says: "Do not be afraid; according to whatever you desire, it shall all be given to you." This is guaranteeing to give without falsehood; the application of the parable below has the phrase: "I now guarantee this matter for you, and it shall never be in vain." "Do not turn back in retreat" is the second; this is the phrase of diligent exertion, stating: "You ought to come out quickly from this burning house." From "Now, this great city" onwards is the third, which is indicating the place of the three vehicles; above, it had the phrase: "Such goat-, deer-, and ox-carts are now outside the gate, where you may play." From "If you enter this city" onwards is the fourth, which is praising the three vehicles above; above, it said: "That with which you can play and delight is rare and hard to obtain; if you do not take it, you will surely regret it later in sorrow." The application of the parable states: "You should know that these teachings of the three vehicles are all praised by the noble ones." From "at that time, the extremely exhausted multitude" onwards is the fourth, the extremely exhausted multitude entering the illusory city, which corresponds to the various people above accepting and practicing. Within this, there are four meanings, which in the original parable above are elaborated in correspondence with the poor son and the burning house [parables]. First is the cultivation of ordinary worldlings outside [the lineage of the path], which is the meaning of "each being courageous and sharp-minded," namely: "at that time, the extremely exhausted multitude was greatly rejoiced in mind." Next, it clarifies the cultivation of ordinary worldlings inside [the lineage of the path], which is the phrase "pushing and jostling each other," from "We now..." onwards. Next, it clarifies entering the path of cultivation through seeing the truth and contemplation, which is the meaning of "racing together in rivalry," the five characters from "Thereupon the multitude went forward." Next, it clarifies attaining the fruit of non-learning, which is the meaning of contending to get out, from "entering the illusory city" onwards. When causes naturally come to an end, that is "producing the thought of having already crossed over"; when effects naturally perish, that is "producing the thought of security and peace."