妙法蓮華經文句 5.49

5.49

二、標位號。為三：一、世長者；二、出世長者；三、觀心長者。世備十德：一、姓貴；二、位高；三、大富；四、威猛；五、智深；六、年耆；七、行淨；八、禮備；九、上歎；十、下歸。姓則三皇五帝之裔，左貂右插之家，位則輔弼丞相鹽梅阿衡，富則銅陵金谷豐饒侈靡，威則嚴霜隆重不肅而成，智則胸如武庫權奇超拔，年則蒼蒼稜稜物儀所伏，行則白珪無點所行如言，禮則節度庠序世所式瞻，上則一人所敬，下則四海所歸，十德具焉名大長者。出世長者，佛從三世真如實際中生，功成道著十號無極，法財萬德悉皆具滿，十力雄猛降魔制外，一心三智無不通達，早成正覺久遠若斯，三業隨智運動無失，具佛威儀心大如海，十方種覺所共稱譽，七種方便而來依止，是名出世佛大長者。三、觀心者，觀心之智從實相出，生在佛家種性真正，三惑不起，雖未發真，是著如來衣稱寂滅忍，三諦含藏一切功德，正觀之慧降伏愛見，中道雙照權實並明，久積善根能修此觀，此觀出於七方便上，此觀觀心性名上定，則三業無過，歷緣對境威儀無失，能如此觀，是深信解相，諸佛皆歡喜。歎美持法者，天龍四部恭敬供養，下文云：「佛子住是地，即是佛受用，經行及坐臥。」既稱此人為佛，豈不名觀心長者？今以十德帖經義足，而闕一文，「國邑聚落有大長者」，三處稱譽為大，豈非姓貴？「長者」豈非位高？「衰邁」豈非耆老？「財富無量」豈非豐足？「多有田宅」即分略周贍，豈非智深？「多有僮僕」豈非勢大？「其家廣大」，豈非德行師之？「唯有一門」，豈非禮節訓人一路？「多諸人眾」即下人所歸。但闕上人所敬一文，今以大字兼之，大人所知故稱大也。

Second is indicating rank and title. There are three types: 1. The mundane elder; 2. The supramundane elder; 3. The mind-contemplation elder. The mundane possesses ten virtues: 1. Noble clan; 2. High rank; 3. Great wealth; 4. Awe-inspiring might; 5. Deep wisdom; 6. Advanced age; 7. Pure conduct; 8. Complete propriety; 9. Praised by superiors; 10. Turned to by inferiors. His clan is the descendant of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, a family of sable tails and jade hairpins; his rank is that of prime minister, counselor, or trusted steward; his wealth rivals the copper mines of Mount Tong or the Golden Valley, abundant and opulent; his awe-inspiring power is as solemn as severe frost, commanding respect without sternness; his wisdom is like an arsenal of weapons, extraordinary and transcendent; his age is venerable and hoary, commanding submission through dignity; his conduct is like white jade without a blemish, acting in accordance with words; his propriety is measured and dignified, a model for the world; above, he is respected by the ruler; below, he is turned to by the four seas. Possessing these ten virtues, he is called a great elder. As for the supramundane elder: the Buddha is born from the true suchness and reality-limit of the three periods of time; his merits complete and his path renowned, his ten epithets are limitless; the dharma wealth of ten thousand virtues is fully complete; his ten powers are heroic and fierce, subduing māras and overcoming non-Buddhists; with one mind and the three wisdoms, there is nothing he does not penetrate; having attained correct enlightenment long ago, his three karmas operate in accord with wisdom without fault; endowed with the buddha deportment, his mind is vast as the ocean; praised in common by the all-encompassing awakening of the ten directions, the seven expedient means come to rely upon him: this is called the supramundane buddha great elder. Third, regarding the mind-contemplation elder: the wisdom of contemplating the mind emerges from the true mark; born into the Buddha's family, his lineage is genuine; the three delusions do not arise, and though he has not yet manifested the real, this is putting on the Tathāgata's robe, called the forbearance of extinction; the three truths encompass all merits; the wisdom of correct contemplation subdues craving and views; the Middle Way illuminates both [real and conventional], making both the expedient and real clear; having long accumulated roots of goodness, he is able to practice this contemplation; this contemplation surpasses the seven expedient means; this contemplation contemplates the mind-nature, called supreme concentration, so the three karmas are without fault, and in encountering conditions and facing objects, deportment is never lost. Being able to contemplate like this is the mark of deep faith and understanding, and all buddhas rejoice. Praising those who uphold the Dharma, gods, dragons, and the fourfold assembly revere and make offerings to them. As the text below says: "If a child of the Buddha abides in this ground, this is the Buddha's enjoyment, whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down." Since this person is designated as a buddha, how could he not be called a mind-contemplation elder? Now, using the ten virtues to match the sūtra text, the meaning is fully met, although one phrase is missing: "In a state, city, or village, there was a great elder"—being praised as great in three places, is this not a noble clan? "Elder", is this not high rank? "Aged and decaying", is this not advanced age? "Immeasurable wealth", is this not abundance? "Possessing many lands and houses", meaning provisions are comprehensive, is this not deep wisdom? "Possessing many servants", is this not great influence? "His house was spacious and vast", is this not a teacher of virtuous conduct? "Having only a single gate", is this not instructing people via a single path of propriety? "Many people", this is inferiors turning to him. Only the single phrase "praised by superiors" is missing from the text; now the character "great" encompasses it, for being known by great persons, he is called great.