妙法蓮華經玄義 1.6

1.6

What is called 'subtle' (miao): 'subtle' means inconceivable. What is called 'dharma': the dharmas of the ten realms, the ten suchnesses, the provisional, and the real. 'Lotus flower' (puṇḍarīka) is a metaphor for the provisional and real dharmas. Because the subtle dharma is difficult to understand, borrowing a metaphor makes it easy to reveal! Since its meanings are manifold, when summarized sequentially, they combine into six. First, there is a flower for the sake of the lotus, which is a metaphor for deploying the provisional for the sake of the real. The text states: 'Knowing the foremost quiescence and extinction, by the power of expedient means, although displaying various paths, they are in truth for the buddha-yāna.' Second, the opening of the flower is a metaphor for opening the provisional, and the appearance of the lotus is a metaphor for revealing the real. The text states: 'Opening the gate of expedient means, displaying the mark of the real.' Third, the falling of the flower is a metaphor for abolishing the provisional, and the maturing of the lotus is a metaphor for establishing the real. The text states: 'Frankly setting aside expedient means, speaking only of the unexcelled path.' Furthermore, the lotus is a metaphor for the original source, and the flower is a metaphor for the traces: projecting the traces from the original source, the traces depend on the original source. The text states: 'Since I truly attained Buddhahood, it has been as long ago as this. But to teach and transform sentient beings, I made such a statement: "I left home when young, and attained sambodhi."' Second, the opening of the flower is a metaphor for opening the traces, and the appearance of the lotus is a metaphor for revealing the original source. The text states: 'All the world considers that I have only now attained the path; since I attained Buddhahood, it has been immeasurable, boundless nayutas of kalpas.' Third, the falling of the flower is a metaphor for abolishing the traces, and the maturing of the lotus is a metaphor for establishing the original source. The text states: 'The Dharma of all Buddha Tathāgatas is entirely like this. For the purpose of delivering sentient beings, all is real and not false.'