法華文句記 2.99

2.99

Next, in explaining the mirroring audience (yǐngxiǎng zhòng): the forms and sounds of the master of transformation must rely on companions to act as reflections and echoes, only then causing the initiation and stirring to succeed, just as an echo answers a sound and a shadow follows a form. This also consists of the method, the simile, and the application. First, regarding the method: the first two lines clarify the origin of mirroring; next, from "concealing their..." onward, it clarifies the traces that can provide support. What is supported is singular, hence called the "Dharma King." Those that can support manifest the cause, manifest the gradual, manifest the beginning, and manifest the end—this is the deportment of the various holy ones. Because they manifest the cause, ancient buddhas conceal their ultimate state to appear as practitioners; because they manifest the gradual, the dharmakāya conceals the perfect to manifest the one-sided and small. All these serve to correct and assist Śākyamuni, the Dharma King. "Kuang" (匡) means to correct. The Posthumous Title Regulations state: "A loyal mind and vast generosity is called kuang." "Fu" (輔) means to assist and support. With a loyal mind they assist the master, knowing that living beings' capacities are ripe, and yield the merit of the primary transformation; hence they are called "shadow and echo" (mirroring). Next, regarding the simile: just as stars obscure their own light of independent shining, merely establishing the merit of assisting the moon, revealing virtue and secretly aiding, it is said that although they do not intentionally act, there is immense benefit. The Great Treatise asks: "Why do the monks constantly follow the World-Honoured One?" Answer: "Just as one whose disease is cured follows the physician to make evident the physician's skill." If this adduces that genuine practitioners still display the deportment of a mirroring audience, how much more so for ancient buddhas of the dharmakāya descending with manifested forms to aid transformation? Thus we know that the four assemblies are like those cured of mild illnesses, and the eight classes are like those cured of severe illnesses; in both mild and severe cases there are provisional and real mirroring audiences.