妙法蓮華經玄義 1.32

1.32

Regarding the function, there are three points: first, indicating it; second, screening it; third, its benefits. "Function" means dynamic efficacy. The three kinds of dual wisdoms of the provisional and real are all dynamic efficacies. Within dynamic efficacy, we further distinguish: the two wisdoms of self-practice, thoroughly illuminating the principle, are termed "power" (力); the two kinds of dual wisdoms of transforming others, comprehensively assessing capacities, are termed "function" (用). The two wisdoms of self-practice are nothing other than the two wisdoms of transforming others; the two wisdoms of transforming others are nothing other than the two wisdoms of self-practice. Illuminating the principle is assessing capacities, and assessing capacities is illuminating the principle. It is like Sarvārthasiddha drawing the ancestral king's bow to full draw, which is termed "power"; piercing seven iron drums, passing through an Iron Enclosing Mountain, and penetrating the earth to reach the water wheel, which is termed "function." The dynamic efficacy of the various expedient teachings is feeble, like an ordinary person's bow and arrow. Why? Formerly, capacities received the two wisdoms of transforming others, so their illumination of principle was not pervasive, the faith they generated was not deep, and their elimination of doubt was not exhaustive. Now, capacities receive the two wisdoms of self-practice, reaching the ultimate realm of the Buddha, giving rise to faith in the dharma realm, augmenting the perfect and subtle path, severing fundamental ignorance, and diminishing transformational birth and death. Not only do both the bodhisattvas of the physical body and those who have attained forbearance in the physical body benefit together, but both the bodhisattvas of the dharma-kāya and those in the ultimate stage of the dharma-kāya also benefit together. The work of transformation is immense and its nourishing benefit is vastly deep: such is the dynamic efficacy of this sūtra.