妙法蓮華經玄義 7.4

7.4

Discussing the benefits distinctly, they are different in depth: namely, śrāvakas severing fundamental [delusions] and pratyekabuddhas eroding residual habits are jointly termed medium herbs. Bodhisattvas subdue afflictions and concurrently deliver sentient beings. Therefore the sūtra says: "Seeking the place of the World-Honoured One, [vowing,] 'I shall become a buddha, practicing vigorous meditation'"—this is called the benefit of the superior herb. This is the characteristic of the benefit conferred through the power of compassionate roots of the lord of the tripiṭaka teaching. The sūtra says: "If bodhisattvas have firm wisdom, fully comprehend the three realms, and seek the supreme vehicle"—that is, the three kinds of persons jointly contemplating non-arising, not only having the previous benefit of analytical wisdom, but having skillful liberation, which is embodying truth—this is the benefit of the growth of the small tree. This is the characteristic of the benefit conferred by the lord of the shared teaching. The sūtra says: "Furthermore, there are those who dwell in dhyāna, attain supernormal powers, hear of the emptiness of all dharmas, and rejoice greatly in their hearts." "Dwelling in dhyāna" means dwelling in the nine kinds of great dhyānas; "rejoicing greatly in their hearts" means ascending to the Ground of Joy, delivering countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of sentient beings—this is called the growth of the great tree. Not only is there the previous benefit of cause, result, analysis, and embodiment, but distinctly there is the benefit of discriminating the wisdom of the aspects of the path, up to the wisdom of all aspects. This is the characteristic of the benefit conferred by the lord of the distinctive teaching. The sūtra says: "I will now speak for you of the most real matter," which does not merely equal the previous benefits, but possesses the ultimate real benefit of immediately breaking through fundamental ignorance and revealing the buddha-nature. This is the characteristic of the benefit conferred by the lord of the perfect teaching.