法華經義記 7.69

7.69

“And spoke verses, saying:”—in clarifying the masters’ merit and retribution there were naturally two: the first was the prose, and from here below is the second, the verse recitation. There are fifteen lines of verse, naturally divided into two sections: first, there are two lines of verse whose meaning emerges without versifying the prose, directly and broadly encouraging and exhorting the assembly at that time to receptively uphold this sūtra; second, from “If there is one who is able to receptively uphold” below, there are thirteen lines of verse, directly versifying the preceding prose. But in the preceding prose there were originally two: first, clarifying the masters based on the specific gate; second, clarifying the masters based on the general gate. Now, regarding these thirteen verses, they are also divided into two: the first seven lines versify the first [topic] above, clarifying the masters based on the specific gate; the remaining six lines of verse versify the second [topic] above, clarifying the masters based on the general gate. In clarifying the masters based on the specific gate above, there were again two: first, clarifying the masters of the present; second, the masters after the Buddha’s extinction. Within the seven lines, they are also divided into two: the first four lines versify the masters of the present, and the later three lines versify the masters after extinction. Among the masters in the present world, there were originally two kinds: first, the lower-grade; second, the upper-grade. Now, among the four verses, the first verse versifies the lower-grade Dharma master, and the later three lines versify the upper-grade Dharma master. But in the above clarification of the lower-grade Dharma master, there were naturally two stages: first, directly setting forth the marks of merit of the lower-grade Dharma master; second, the weighty retribution. Now, in the single verse, the first half versifies directly setting forth the marks of merit of the lower-grade Dharma master, and the second half versifies the weighty retribution. From “All those who are able to receptively uphold…” below, three lines versify the upper-grade Dharma master among those of the present above. Above, there were originally two stages: first, generally drawing a comparison to bring out the profound merit of the upper-grade Dharma master; second, specifically clarifying the profound merit of the upper-grade Dharma master. Now, within these three lines there are also two: the first half-verse directly versifies the profound merit of the Dharma master, corresponding to the above statement “how much more so those who are fully able to receptively uphold”; the remaining two and a half [verses] below versify the above specific clarification of profound merit. From “In the evil age after my extinction…” below, three lines versify the second [topic] above, clarifying the Dharma masters after the Buddha’s extinction; here there are two kinds: first is the lower-grade, second is the upper-grade. Now, these three lines are also divided into two, slightly out of sequence: the first two lines first versify drawing a comparison to bring out the upper-grade, corresponding to the above statement “how much more so to speak broadly for people amidst a great assembly!”. Above, it also lacked merit and retribution, which now appear in the verses. These two verses also have two stages: the first half-verse versifies directly drawing a comparison to bring out the upper-grade Dharma master; second, from “Should join palms and pay reverent homage” below, there is one and a half lines in meaning versifying the profound retribution. What was absent in the prose: from “If one is able in the later age…” below, one verse versifies the lower-grade Dharma master in reverse order. Above, there were again two stages: first, the marks of the lower-grade master; second, clarifying the marks of merit. This single line [of verse] also has two: the first half-verse versifies the first, and the second half versifies the second.