法華玄義釋籤 16.41

16.41

次譬中二：譬、結。譬中二：重譬、合。初梁柱等譬中三：初正譬體，次「屋若」下譬體功能，三「釋論」下引論。初譬中二：先譬，次合。初文言「非梁」至「屋內之空」者，空譬於體，屋譬於宗，空為所取，屋為能取，能取可多，空不可多，所取是體，體不可多，能取是宗，宗是因果，是故不一。次譬「日月綱天」等者，重舉譬簡。天以日月為綱，地以四海為紀，日月周行遍歷於天，日月可二，天不可二。「公臣輔主」者，公者舉五等之初，五等皆臣共輔於主，五等可多，主不可多。言「五等」者，謂公侯伯子男。公者正也，當為王者正行天道。候者候也，當為王者伺候非常。伯者長也，當為王者長理百姓。子者慈也，當為王者子愛人民。男者任也，當為王者任其職理。合文甚略，準前可知。

Next, in the metaphors, there are two parts: the metaphors and the conclusion. In the metaphors there are two parts: repeated metaphors and the application. In the first metaphor of the beams and pillars and so forth, there are three parts: first, directly illustrating the essence by metaphor; second, from "If a house" onward, illustrating the function of the essence by metaphor; third, from "The Commentary" onward, citing the treatise. In the first metaphor there are two parts: first, the metaphor, and second, the application. In the first text, the words "Neither the beam" down to "the space inside the house": space is a metaphor for the essence, and the house is a metaphor for the central theme. Space is that which is taken, and the house is that which takes. That which takes may be many, but space cannot be many. That which is taken is the essence, and the essence cannot be many; that which takes is the central theme, and the central theme is cause and fruit, and therefore is not single. Next, as for the metaphor "the sun and moon being the mainstays of heaven" and so forth: this again raises metaphors for differentiation. Heaven takes the sun and moon as its mainstays, and earth takes the four seas as its order. The sun and moon travel cyclically and traverse heaven completely; the sun and moon can be two, but heaven cannot be two. As for "the dukes and ministers assisting the sovereign": "dukes" mentions the first of the five ranks; all five ranks are ministers who together assist the sovereign. The five ranks may be many, but the sovereign cannot be many. "Five ranks" refers to duke, marquis, count, viscount, and baron. "Duke" (gong) means correctness (zheng); he ought to implement the heavenly way correctly for the king. "Marquis" (hou) means observation (hou); he ought to watch for unusual events on behalf of the king. "Count" (bo) means elder (zhang); he ought to govern the common people as an elder on behalf of the king. "Viscount" (zi) means benevolence (ci); he ought to care for the populace as his children on behalf of the king. "Baron" (nan) means undertaking (ren); he ought to undertake his official duties and management for the king. The text of the application is very brief, and can be known by following what precedes.