妙法蓮華經文句 7.84

7.84

This chapter completely predicts twelve hundred, so why is it entitled "Five Hundred"? The five hundred receive predictions of the same name, and the five hundred orally express their understanding, hence it is entitled with them. This chapter is the second section within the explanation of karmic conditions. In terms of receiving predictions, there are two: first, the twelve hundred, and second, the two thousand. The twelve hundred again has two: first, bestowing upon Pūrṇa Maitrāyaṇīputra, and second, bestowing upon the twelve hundred. Pūrṇa again has two: first, an introductory silent grasping of understanding, and second, the Tathāgata's narration and prediction. First, it narrates his gaining understanding and joy; next, it narrates his silent reflection and grasping of understanding. The joy again has two: first, narrating the reason for his gaining understanding, and second, narrating his joy at gaining understanding. The reasons for his gaining understanding are four: first, having heard the dharma and parables, opening the three and revealing the one across the two cycles; second, the prediction bestowed upon the five great disciples such as Śāriputra; third, having further heard the matter of karmic connections in past lifetimes; fourth, having further heard that all buddhas and Tathāgatas possess the three unimpeded masteries. Viewing the distant past as if it were today is none other than the power of great sovereign supernatural abilities, refuting and differing from the two vehicles whose range is limited to eighty thousand [kalpas]. If "hearing this wisdom from the Buddha," this grasps the revealing of the real in the "Expedient Means" and "Burning House" [chapters]; "what is preached through expedient means in accord with suitability" grasps the opening of the expedient in both places. "All great disciples" grasps the opening of the expedient; "bestowing predictions of bodhi" grasps the revealing of the real; "past karmic conditions" grasps the revealing of the real; and "supernatural powers" grasps the opening of the expedient. From "having attained what they never had before" onward, it narrates his joy at gaining understanding: first, clarifying the inner joy of understanding, and next, clarifying the outer physical reverence. Because he had not heard the opening of the expedient and revealing of the real in the past and has now heard it, it is said that he "attained what he never had before"; because the attachment to nirvāṇa is removed and distinctive delusions are severed and broken, it is said that his "heart is pure"; because the buddha knowledge and vision is opened, he therefore "leapt for joy"; and because gaining understanding stems from the Buddha, he gives rise to reverence. If analyzed in terms of origin and traces, it is rejoicing over their actual practice.