法華文句記 3.12

3.12

Regarding "Maitreya" and so forth: "Earnest" points to the four concealed doubts; "obstinate" points to the four concealed difficulties. Both accumulate up to four, hence the words "earnest" and so forth. The character jin [靳] (fanqie: ju + jin) means "firm." Because both samādhis can serve as the preface, it is said that "its meaning becomes increasingly clear." From "body and mind" below, the text clarifies the body and mind that are relied upon: first clarifying the reason for immobility—because of obtaining the true character that is the cognitive object, body and mind are made immobile. Next, "of the body" and so forth explains the locus upon which body and mind rely. Thus we know that the immobility of body and mind also derives from the locus of meaning; hence both the original source and the nature of principle are called "locus." Two designations are provisionally applied in relation to that body and mind. The Tathāgata truly realizes that the essence of physical form and mind is one; and precisely because this physical form and mind are the three virtues, when wishing to expound the intrinsically existent, marvelous principle of the eternal sūtra, he first expresses it by means of the immobility of physical form and mind. Furthermore, both body and mind express the traces; now using the traces to express the origin, it says, "empty space is ever tranquil." Next, it cites the Great Universal Wisdom Excellence entering the Lotus Samādhi to verify body and mind. Therefore, the essence of this samādhi has different names but an identical principle; if distinguishing the characteristics of what is entered, they differ simultaneously: the upper two lines verify the body, and the lower two lines verify the mind. From "If the body..." below, it employs metaphors again, because body and mind correspond to principle. If it were not the eternally abiding dharmakāya, it could not be illustrated by adamantine; if it were not the intrinsically existent samādhi of principle, it could not be compared to empty space. From "immeasurable meanings" below, it concludes by attributing the merit of this body and mind to the locus of meaning. From "designated as" below, it resolves a doubt. The doubt asks: If the samādhi relies on the locus, it should only be designated "locus"; why does it also retain the name "immeasurable"? From "This samādhi..." below, it resolves it. The word "immeasurable" gets its name from what is illuminated. What is illuminated? That which is produced is precisely it. Nor is it at a different time; hence it says "and illuminates." Since immeasurable is precisely locus, what harm is there in retaining it? Regarding "If one takes..." and so forth: for now we retain the distinct names, [where] the essence of the samādhi is the immobility of body and mind. If one takes these marks to express the preface, by means of this immobility and so forth, it precisely expresses the preface that afterward the single reality will be expounded; now, pointing to the time of immobility and non-discrimination, it is like the locus of meaning. The upper line explains the body, and the lower line explains the mind; this then contrasts with the movement and discrimination of body and mind before the samādhi, which is like the immeasurable. Opening first and uniting later, the meaning of the preface is brilliantly clear. Next, a question and answer further resolves doubt. The question comes first, which is obvious. Next, regarding the intention of the answer: if according to the ordinary convention, having finished expounding they would immediately disperse, what would be extraordinary about that? Now, having finished expounding, he enters samādhi, so one knows that what comes afterward is not in vain; if what comes afterward is not in vain, the essence of the preceding samādhi must be distinct. Thus, the assembly gathering, the expounding, and the samādhi all express what is to be heard, thus causing the assembly at that time to wait with solemn reverence. The character su [肅] has the fanqie xi + liu. The Erya says: "'Solemn and respectful' means reverent." Respectful and reverent, the mind has that which it attains.