妙法蓮華經玄義 6.5

6.5

Next, clarifying 'response' also has three meanings: First, response has the meaning of 'going to meet/hastening to'. Since we say capacity has the principle of being capable of arising, when the subtlety of capacity is about to stir, the sage goes to meet it, and its goodness is able to arise; therefore we use 'going to meet' to explain response. Second, response has the meaning of 'counterpart/matching'. Like people conducting trade who mutually deal with each other as counterparts: if one wishes to sell while the other does not wish to buy, they do not match as counterparts; if seller and buyer are in mutual agreement, the trade is settled and transaction made, with neither repenting whether expensive or cheap. Now, sentient beings are compared to buying, and the Tathāgata is compared to selling; in terms of capacity we discuss the connection, and in terms of response we discuss the matching counterpart; therefore we explain response through matching. Third, response has the meaning of 'answering/accordance'. Since we said capacity is suitability, what kind of dharma is suitable? One should use the dharmas of loving-kindness and compassion, which are what good and evil are suited for. Compassion is suitable for rescuing from suffering; loving-kindness is suitable for bestowing joy. Following whatever dharma accords with what is suitable for them, we therefore explain response through accordance.