法華經義記 7.82

7.82

In this chapter it is explained that if a bodhisattva who propagates the sūtra is endowed with the four kinds of practice, then he is able to leave peril and obtain peace, distance himself from suffering and attain joy; therefore, the translator of the scripture accordingly made this the chapter title. As previously explained: in the fourth section, the meaning of the specific circulation that opens the three and manifests the One, there are four chapters of the scripture divided into three sections: the first two chapters, the 'Dharma Master' and the 'Apparition of the Jewel Stupa', first explain the profound merit of those who propagate the sūtra and the retribution of those who receptively uphold it, summoning and seeking people to propagate the sūtra; the second, the single 'Upholding Chapter', explains the followers who assemble blessings and delight in the good, together before the Buddha making vows and receiving the command to propagate the sūtra, all saying that they do not begrudge their bodily lives but cherish the unsurpassed path. However, before they propagate the sūtra in the previous 'Upholding Chapter', there is the fault of defamation and the peril to bodily life; thus lower-grade bodhisattvas who originally wished to vow to propagate the sūtra, seeing that an evil age has many difficulties, would give rise to a regressive mind and cease the intention to propagate the sūtra. Therefore, this chapter is the third, where the Tathāgata uses peaceful and joyful practices to gather in lower-grade people who regress and fall away, stating that if one can be endowed with these four practices, heavenly māras cannot oppose them, and in an evil age they can sacrifice their bodies to rescue beings and give up their lives to liberate people; thus lower-grade people, on this basis, give rise to the mind to propagate the sūtra and further give rise to the intention to deliver people. As previously explained again: among these three sections, the preceding one and the succeeding one each have two [divisions], while the middle one inherently has five distinctions. Now, within this [chapter] there are two parts: first, Mañjuśrī inquires, and second, the Tathāgata replies. Now, in the inquiry itself there are two stages: first, initially praising those above who are able to propagate the sūtra; second, from 'World-Honoured One' downward, directly posing the question.