妙法蓮華經文句 9.37

9.37

The fourteen gāthās versify the above dharma and parable: five gāthās versify the dharma explanation, and nine gāthās versify the parabolic explanation. In the dharma explanation are three: the first gāthā versifies clinging to the near; next, from 'These sons of the Buddha' down is, second, two gāthās and three lines, versifying doubting the distant; afterwards, from 'How could it be' down is, third, one gāthā and one line, versifying the concluding request. In versifying the parable: the first two gāthās versify the opening of the parable; afterwards, from 'The World-Honoured One is also like this' down, seven gāthās versify matching the parable. This also has three: the first two lines versify matching the near; next, from 'The aspirations of these bodhisattvas' down is, second, three and a half gāthās, versifying matching the distant; afterwards, from 'We, having heard from the Buddha' down is, third, three gāthās, versifying matching the request for an answer (and so forth).