法華文句記 8.43

8.43

From “Now relying upon” onward is the correct explanation. Even when receiving the sacred voice in person, it was still said to be difficult to know; although said to be difficult to know, it does not go beyond these three. From “Two perilous and difficult” to “referring to the evil paths”: the original intent of the guide was to cause them to cross the five hundred, but because the personal practice of those of the Piṭaka teaching is desolate and isolated, and they grew exhausted at the three hundred, the guide conjured up the transformation. As for “One desolate and isolated” and so forth: those entering the citadel are mostly of the two vehicles of the Piṭaka teaching, and it tentatively says “no people”; according to principle, it extends to the two vehicles of the Shared teaching; the phrase “there are people” generally refers to the Mahāyāna teaching; the Perfect and Distinct teachings are not desolate, having people; therefore, those with reliance and those without reliance both travel the desolate path, namely the two vehicles of the Piṭaka and Shared teachings. From “There is a guide” to “purification of the six sense organs”: this refers to the ten kinds of six sense organs, partially attained at the first dwelling, namely when the sixteen princes first formed affinities. As for the buddhas of various directions, prior to today they might also have been in the first dwelling or above; today, becoming buddhas in the eight directions resides solely in the ultimate fruit. Hence, in explaining bright wisdom, it speaks of the three wisdoms, five eyes, three clarities, and ten powers. The sūtra says “wisdom (hui)” and the commentary says “wisdom (zhi),” simply following convenience of phrasing. However, bright wisdom and so forth also extend to the partial accomplishment of the true cause at the first dwelling; for this reason, we know that it refers generally to both past and present, both being called guides, because both have purified the six sense organs. In the explanation below, the multiple kinds of guides are all collectively present here. As for “the multitude of people being led” and so forth: above, an objection was raised asking why it does not establish losing one another and entering in terror; now, although there are no such words, it seems to contain this meaning, because the meaning of the words “being led” is broad; being together with those being led is precisely the meaning of entering; hence it says “the distinct parables and extensive verses,” and so forth.