妙法蓮華經文句 3.45

3.45

Explaining this has a brief and an extensive [treatment]. The brief has two parts: first, brief, and next, critical evaluation. 'Fang' (expedient) means method/norm; 'bian' (means/adaptability) means function/application. Norms may be square or round; applications may be divergent or concordant. The three expedients are the carpenter's square, which is square; the one real is the compass, which is round. If wisdom attains the carpenter's square, it skillfully applies partial dharmas to accommodate and gather sentient beings; if wisdom attains the compass, it skillfully applies the perfect dharma to accommodate and gather sentient beings. For example, partially pointing a finger to indicate a partial spot is raising a partial dharma to indicate wisdom; it is appropriate to use 'method' to explain *fang*, and 'application' to explain *bian*. If comprehensively raising a finger to indicate a round spot, it is appropriate to use 'secret' to explain *fang*, and 'wonderful' to explain *bian*. Raising partial dharmas to explain 'expedient means' merely accords with the desires of sentient beings and is not the Buddha's original intent, just as the sūtra says: '[The buddhas] cause them to leave attachments and emerge from the suffering of the triple world; therefore the Tathāgatas diligently praise expedient means.' This meaning can explain other sūtras, but is not the intent of the present chapter. Furthermore, 'expedient means' is a gate; a 'gate' is named for being able to grant access, leading through to that which is accessed. Expedient devices are all enticements serving as a gate for the real. That the real can be revealed is due to the efficacy of the expedient means; taking its name from being able to reveal [the real], 'expedient means' is therefore explained as a 'gate', just as the sūtra says: 'Opening the gate of expedient means and demonstrating the True Characteristic.' This meaning can explain other sūtras, but is not the intent of the present chapter. Furthermore, *fang* means secret, and *bian* means wonderful. Wonderfully penetrating *fang* is precisely the true secret: pointing out that the priceless jewel inside the garment and the single jewel atop the king's head are without duality and without distinction, or pointing out that the hired laborer is the elder's son is also without duality and without distinction. Words such as these are secret and wonderful, just as the sūtra says: 'Only I know these characteristics, and the buddhas of the ten directions do likewise,' and 'Stop, stop, no need to speak; my dharma is wonderful and hard to conceive.' Therefore, explaining *fang* as secret and *bian* as wonderful is precisely the intent of the present chapter; hence it is called the 'Expedient Means Chapter'.