法華玄義釋籤 3.16

3.16

As for the fifteen sets, there are also two [parts]: first, the direct explanation; next, from "Question..." onward, the analysis. In the first text, there are fifteen sets in total: first, phenomena and principle; second, provisional and real; third, good and evil persons; fourth, good and evil aggregates; fifth, good and evil dharmas; sixth, the three times; seventh, internal and external ordinary beings; eighth, sages of seeing and cultivation; ninth, ordinary beings and sages—neither in-training nor beyond-training is the stage of ordinary beings. Tenth to thirteenth: the four siddhāntas each constitute one set; fourteenth, taking the four siddhāntas collectively as one set; fifteenth, specifically in terms of the four truths. These fifteen sets are intended to cause people to understand that the meaning of the four siddhāntas pervades all dharmas; if one grasps this meaning, whatever object is encountered will be accomplished, and the dharmas for self-cultivation and transforming others will all be complete. Yet one must explain these fifteen sets in detail, causing them all to accord with rejoicing, producing good, destroying evil, and entering truth. Furthermore, although these fifteen sets arbitrarily bring up a single dharma, they are not without sequence. Within them there are four [parts]: the first six sets are in terms of the persons and dharmas contemplated; the next three sets from internal and external ordinary beings onward are in terms of the ordinary beings and sages who contemplate; the three and five sets are in terms of the methods applied; the fourth single set is in terms of the truths contemplated. Without the dharmas contemplated, there is nothing to constitute the contemplating persons; without the contemplating persons, there is nothing to apply the methods; without the above three, the truths cannot be constituted. Truth is what is contemplated, and its meaning encompasses the contemplating and the contemplated, persons and dharmas, delusion and awakening. Here the characteristics are briefly set forth; they cannot be recorded in full.