法華經義記 8.28

8.28

From "Good sons, the Tathāgata sees all sentient beings delighting in inferior dharmas" onward is the second section, explaining the Tathāgata's benefiting beings through supernatural power in the present age. Within this there are also three stages: first, in fewer than four lines, he first explains that, without being born in the royal palace, he manifested birth; continuing to say the second, from "Thus, since I attained buddhahood, it has been exceedingly long and enduring" onward, he explains that, without undergoing extinction between the twin trees, he manifested extinction; the third in the interim, from "Good sons, the sūtras expounded by the Tathāgata" onward, explains the benefiting of beings through supernatural power after manifesting birth and before responding with extinction. Moreover, within these three stages each has four layers: within the first, explaining manifesting birth without being born, there are four: first, explaining that he sees sentient beings having the capacity to stimulate birth; second, explaining that the Tathāgata manifests birth; third, explaining that in reality he is not born; fourth, explaining the intention behind manifesting birth while not being born.