法華經義記 7.64

7.64

From “If there is a person who receptively upholds, reads, and recites” below is the second, clarifying the merit and retribution based on the masters. In this there are two, namely the prose and the verses forming two. Taking the prose first, it naturally has two sections: first, clarifying the masters based on the specific gate; second, from “Bhaiṣajyarāja, if there is an evil person” below, clarifying the masters based on the general gate. The reason it is called “specific” is that one section of text possesses three meanings: first, the master while the Buddha is in the world and the master after the Buddha’s extinction are different; second, the lower-grade and upper-grade masters; third, each of the two masters distinguishes merit and retribution. The reason it is called “general” is that it also possesses three meanings, which can be grasped by reversing [the specific]. Furthermore, in specifically clarifying the masters, there are two: first, clarifying the five kinds of Dharma masters in the Buddha’s present world; second, clarifying the Dharma masters based on after the Buddha’s extinction. In clarifying the masters in the present world, there are two: first, clarifying the lower-grade Dharma master in the Buddha’s present [world]; second, clarifying the upper-grade [Dharma master] in the present world. The reason they are named lower-grade and upper-grade Dharma masters is that those who read and recite little are lower-grade, and those who read and recite much are upper-grade. In clarifying the lower-grade Dharma master in the present [world], there are two stages: first, directly setting forth the marks of merit of the lower-grade Dharma master; second, from “If someone asks: What sort of sentient beings…” below, clarifying that the lower-grade Dharma master obtains a weighty retribution.