法華經義記 7.35

7.35

From "These novices and others" below, there are twenty-seven lines of verse that versify the second [section] above, directly forming the connection. In the prose above there were originally two parts: first, the exposition by dharma; second, the exposition by parable. Here, among the twenty-seven lines, the first eight lines versify the first, the exposition by dharma; next, from "Just like a perilous, evil road" below, nineteen lines versify the second, the exposition by parable. In the exposition by dharma above there were originally three parts: first, clarifying the forming of the connection in past times; second, clarifying the summarizing of the general import of Śākya's teaching from beginning to end; third, clarifying the meeting together today. Here, among the eight lines, the first three lines versify the first, the forming of the connection in past times; next, four lines versify the second, summarizing the general import; next, one line versifies the third, the meeting together today. However, in the first [part] above, the forming of the connection in past times, there were originally four [sections]: here, within the first three lines, the first half-line versifies the intention of the first stage of attaining the retelling; next, from "For immeasurable billions of multitudes" below, one and a half lines versify the second, directly forming the connection; next, from "Each novice and the others" below, one line versifies the third, their different awakenings, omitting the fourth, Great Penetrating Omniscient Victory Buddha's praise of what the princes said. From "After that Buddha crossed over into extinction" below, four lines versify the second, summarizing the general import. Above there were four sections: the first line versifies the first, constantly meeting together; next, one line of "These sixteen novices" versifies the second, that the sixteen princes have already become Buddhas; next, one line of "Those who at that time heard the Dharma" leaps ahead to versify the fourth, being able to meet together again in the future; next, one line from "I was among the number of the sixteen" below traces back to versify the third, bringing together and connecting past and present; next, this one line of "By these original causes and conditions" versifies the third, the meeting together today. In the prose above there were originally four sections: first, clarifying the emergence of the capacity for the Great [Vehicle]; second, clarifying the preaching of the Lotus Sūtra; third, expressing the meaning that tentative adaptation with the Great [Vehicle] was unsuccessful; fourth, clarifying that conversion was accomplished through the Lesser Vehicle. Here it only versifies the second, assembling all the bodhisattvas to clarify the preaching of the Lotus Sūtra.