妙法蓮華經文句 9.80

9.80

Previously its meaning was abbreviated; now it will be explained at length, generally comprising four meanings: First, in terms of past days, although they aroused the great mind, they could not be single-minded and refined, and were mostly attached to corrupt desires and unable to leave the world; these corrupt desires are termed "lesser dharmas." Second, in terms of the present, when the Buddha had not yet appeared in the world, the various devas, humans, and others, although having a great capacity, had minds defiled by worldly pleasures and attached to wrong views, hence this is termed "taking joy in lesser dharmas." These two meanings share the same intent as the parable below of "writhing on the ground." Third, in terms of cultivation of practice, although they do not take joy in the lesser dharmas of corrupt desires of the three realms, yet taking joy in the ash-like extinction of the three vehicles is also called "lesser dharmas"; although they do not take joy in the near results of the three vehicles, yet taking joy in sequentially cultivating the One Vehicle and being unable to universally cultivate the perfect and sudden within the one mind, this is called "taking joy in the lesser." These three meanings explain taking joy in lesser dharmas in terms of the cause approach. Fourth, in terms of the effect approach, taking joy in hearing of the lesser nature of the recently achieved, leaving the palace of the Śākya clan and only then attaining bodhi, and not wishing or taking joy in hearing of the vast, long-enduring, and ancient path, hence it is said "taking joy in the lesser." This kind of small mind did not begin today; if they had previously taken joy in the great, the Buddha would not have spoken of having recently achieved [it]. Speaking of having recently achieved [it] is entirely for the sake of those who take joy in lesser dharmas.