法華經義記 8.22

8.22

From "At that time Maitreya and others had doubts and perplexities arising in their minds, marveling at what had never been before" onward is the third [section], explaining that the great assembly harboured doubts and brought forward an entreaty. Within this section there are two [parts]: first, the sūtra compiler recounts that the great assembly had doubts; from "and thereupon addressed the Buddha, saying" onward is the second, the proper entreaty, which naturally has two [parts], namely, the prose and the verses constitute the two. Within the prose there are naturally two: first, explaining the doubt; second, the proper entreaty. Moreover, within these two sections each is divided into two. Within explaining the doubt there are two: first, from "and thereupon addressed the Buddha, saying: 'World-Honoured One, when the Tathāgata was crown prince'" onward, he first explains the doubt by exposition by dharma; second, he makes the parable of the young father and elderly sons, explaining the doubt by exposition through parable. From "Although we still believe what the Buddha has spoken in accordance with suitability" onward is the second, the proper entreaty, which also has two: first, Maitreya recounts that he himself has understood; second, from "Yet those who have newly resolved their minds" onward, he properly clarifies the entreaty on behalf of those who have not understood.