妙法蓮華經文句 5.49

5.49

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.