妙法蓮華經文句 8.11

8.11

From 'Later meeting again' onward is the second part, the parable of the close friend awakening him, which expresses their understanding of now preaching the Lotus Sūtra and giving the great cart based on that fundamental cause and condition. This has three parts: first, the reprimand; second, showing the jewel; third, urging him to trade it. The reprimand illustrates shaking attachments and giving rise to doubts above; showing the jewel illustrates the causes and conditions of past lifetimes; urging him to trade it illustrates receiving prophecy to become a buddha. All three cycles have these three meanings. In the exposition in terms of Dharma, 'I cause you to be liberated from the bonds of suffering' is the reprimand; the passage on the five buddhas is the demonstration; Śāriputra receiving prophecy is urging him to trade it. In the exposition by parable, 'Did I not say before that all is for bodhi?' is the reprimand; the three carts and the one cart are showing the jewel; the middle capacities receiving prophecy is urging them to trade it. For those of lower capacity, 'Causes and conditions of past lifetimes: listen well!' is the reprimand; re-expounding to establish affinity and preaching the Mahāyāna again is showing the jewel; the lower capacities receiving prophecy is urging them to trade it. As for how the three points in tying the jewel correspond to the three cycles: first, while under the Buddha tree, conceiving [them] in terms of the Mahāyāna is tying the jewel; lacking the capacity, so that teaching ceased, is lying intoxicated; soon afterwards providing expedients is setting out on the journey. In the parables, being at the place of twenty thousand koṭis of buddhas is tying the jewel; sending an attendant to pursue him so that he fainted and would not accept it is lying intoxicated; leading him with the three carts is setting out on the journey. In the causes and conditions, being at the place of the Buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū is tying the jewel; slackening and retreating midway is lying intoxicated; accommodating them with the small is setting out on the journey. All of these are called expressing understanding of the expedients. 'A certain year, month, and day' refers to the place of the Buddha Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū. From 'The Buddha is also like this' onward is the second part, joining the parable. The parable originally had two parts, and now each has three points: from 'teaching and converting us' onward matches the first point, tying the jewel; 'and soon neglected and forgot it' matches the second point, being intoxicated and unaware; 'having already attained arhatship' onward matches the third point, having gotten up and traveled. From 'the aspiration for all-knowledge' onward matches the later parable of the close friend awakening and showing him. Above there were three, and now there are also three. 'The aspiration for wisdom is not lost' matches the first of the later points, the reprimand; from 'I long ago caused you' onward matches the second of the later points, showing the jewel; from 'I now know' onward matches the third of the later points, urging him to trade for what is needed.