法華經義記 7.53

7.53

“And spoke verses, saying”: these twelve and a half lines below are the second part, versifying the prose above. In the prose there were originally two parts: first, the brief expression of understanding; second, the extensive expression of understanding. Now the twelve and a half lines of verse are also divided into two: the first two and a half lines versify the brief expression of understanding, and the subsequent ten lines versify the extensive expression of understanding. In the brief expression of understanding above, there were itself two: first, the exposition by dharma; second, the exposition by parable. The first two lines versify the exposition by dharma; half a line versifies the exposition by parable. “Just as a poor man”: these ten lines of verse below versify the second above, the extensive expression of understanding. In the extensive expression of understanding above, there were the unfolding of the parable and the application of the parable as two sections; now six lines versify the unfolding of the parable, and four lines versify the application of the parable. In the unfolding of the parable above there were five; now in the six lines, all six meanings are versified: the first line and three phrases versify the first parable; “while lying down, unaware” — this single phrase versifies the second parable; “this person, having already arisen” — these two verses below versify the third, the parable of travelling to another country; “the close friend who gave the jewel” — half a line versifies the fourth, the parable of encountering each other; “having bitterly and severely reproached him” — half a verse versifies the fifth, the parable of pointing out the precious jewel; “the poor man, seeing this jewel” — the meaning of one line versifies the sixth, the parable of joy, which was absent in the prose above.