妙法蓮華經文句 3.15

3.15

From "At that time Mañjuśrī said to Maitreya" down to the end of the verses is titled "The Preface Answering the Questions," which contains both prose and gāthās. The prose text has four parts: 1. from "said to Maitreya" downward is called the Answer by Reflection; 2. from "Good sons, in the past I..." downward is called the Answer by Brief Past Experience; 3. from "Good sons, just as in the past..." downward is called the Answer by Extensive Past Experience; 4. from "Now seeing this auspicious sign, it is no different from the original..." downward is called the Clear and Decisive Answer. When the lower fathoms the higher, one can only make approximate conjectures and compare the past with the present, but cannot make an abrupt determination. Therefore, he begins with a vague impression, next cites a brief observation, and since the brief observation is not complete, he further cites an extensive observation, using the many to verify the one, and only then does he make a decisive judgment. The Answer by Reflection answers the above question about this land; the Answer by Brief Past Experience answers the above question about other lands; the Answer by Extensive Past Experience answers both the questions about this land and other lands; the Decisive Answer decisively settles both the questions about this land and other lands.