法華文句記 8.13

8.13

「問此品」等者，此人附《正法華》設此問也。《正法華》名「往古品」，問者潛改云「宿世品」，故答中不違問者以順正經可消今部。「又上根」下約三時釋。言「探取」等者，其文雖在法說述成，述成正為引起中根，故釋譬喻幼稚等文，皆引用之。「若從」下自約當品，別論三時者，二經俱具，正經從初不及今經處中之說，並不云寶所者，如〈藥草〉中不云地雨，若〈信解〉、〈譬喻〉題通意別，別在實故；〈藥草〉、〈化城〉題別意別。

Regarding 'Question: This chapter...', etc.: this person posed this question relying on the Zheng fahua jing. The Zheng fahua jing calls it 'Chapter on Ancient Times'; the questioner secretly changed it to 'Chapter on Past Lives', so in the answer, not contradicting the questioner accords with the primary sūtra and can resolve the present text. From 'Furthermore, superior faculties' onward, it is explained in terms of the three periods. The statement 'anticipatorily taking', etc.: although its text is in the confirmation of the Dharma explanation, the confirmation is precisely to prompt those of middling faculties; therefore, when explaining the parables of infants and so forth, all cite it. From 'If according to...' onward, treating the three periods distinctively within the present chapter itself: both sūtras possess them; the primary sūtra from the beginning does not equal the middle explanation of the present sūtra, and both do not mention the treasure cache, just as in the 'Medicinal Herbs' [chapter] earth and rain are not mentioned; whereas the titles of 'Faith and Understanding' and 'Parable' are general while their intention is distinct, the distinction lying in the real; the titles of 'Medicinal Herbs' and 'Conjured City' are distinct and their intention is distinct.