妙法蓮華經玄義 10.5

10.5

One should know that this sūtra discusses only the great outline of the Tathāgata's establishment of the teachings and does not dwell on subtle and minute details. It is like an accountant who first sets down and later removes [counting rods] to determine the grand sum, without preserving measures of bushels and pecks. Therefore the Amitārtha-sūtra says: 'Immeasurable meanings are born from the one dharma.' Thus, based on the one buddha-yāna, he discriminatively preached the three. This is compared to setting down the counting rods. Gathering the immeasurable to enter the one, harmonizing the three to return to the great—this is compared to removing the counting rods, recording only the grand sum. Such intentions all belong to the ground of the dharma-kāya, which is quiescent yet ever illuminating; they did not merely begin at the tree of awakening to adapt to the great and small. The Buddha's wisdom has long illuminated spiritual capacities! The text says: 'It is solely for the cause and condition of the one great matter that they appear in the world'—this shows that his illumination of the great has been long indeed. The text says: 'Assiduously praising expedients'—this shows that his illumination of the small has been long indeed. The text says: 'The dharmas of all buddhas, after a long time, must surely speak the real'—this shows that his illumination of harmonizing the small to return to the great has been long indeed! The 'Chapter on Faith and Understanding' says: 'Sitting on the lion throne, seeing his son, he immediately recognized him'—these words show that his initial observation of the great capacity has been long indeed! 'Seeing his son from afar through the window'—this shows that his observation of the small capacity has been long indeed! 'Secretly sending two men to expediently approach him and tell him to work diligently'—this shows that his observation of the necessity to open the three has been long indeed! 'Their minds came to trust each other, and going in and out was without difficulty'—this shows that his observation of disciplining and rebuking has been long indeed! 'Taking charge of the various goods'—this shows that his observation of washing away [attachments] has been long indeed! 'Afterward entrusting him with the family estate'—this shows that his observation of the equality of teaching and practice has been long indeed!