法華玄論 1.120

1.120

答：眾生有三種，一者上根、二者中根、三者下根。上中二根直聞現在說法已得了悟，今欲為下根眾生令得受道，故說過去始末法門也。二者為釋疑故來。有人云：應學二乘。所以然者，始行菩薩雖聞此經不得佛記，二乘聞經便得受決。若爾，但學聲聞，不必須行菩薩道。是故釋云：此等聲聞於無量劫久行大行，但中忘斯意故作二乘，非作二乘即得授記。即是總釋三根人得悟一乘因緣也。《法華論》云「決定聲聞不得記，退菩提心聲聞方得記。」與此義相應。三者聲聞唯有二種：一本學小乘、二退大為小。〈譬喻品〉為本學小乘人，今欲為退大之人，故說是經。

Answer: Sentient beings are of three kinds: first, superior faculties; second, middling faculties; third, inferior faculties. Those of superior and middling faculties directly heard the preaching of the Dharma in the present and have already attained awakening; now, wishing to cause sentient beings of inferior faculties to receive the Way, he therefore preached the past Dharma gate from beginning to end. Second, it comes to resolve doubts. Some people say: 'One should study the two vehicles. Why? Although bodhisattvas of initial practice hear this sūtra, they do not receive a buddha's prophecy, whereas those of the two vehicles hear the sūtra and immediately receive confirmation. If so, one should merely study the śrāvaka [path] and need not practice the bodhisattva way.' Therefore, it is explained: 'These śrāvakas practiced the great practice for a long time over immeasurable kalpas, but merely forgot this intention midway and thus became those of the two vehicles; it is not that merely by becoming those of the two vehicles they immediately obtain prophecies.' This is the general explanation of the causes and conditions whereby persons of the three faculties attain awakening to the one vehicle. The Saddharmapuṇḍarīkopadeśa says: 'Determined śrāvakas do not receive prophecies; only śrāvakas who have retrogressed from the bodhicitta receive prophecies.' This accords with this meaning. Third, there are only two kinds of śrāvakas: first, those who originally studied the lesser vehicle; second, those who retrogressed from the great to the lesser. The 'Chapter on the Parable' was for those who originally studied the lesser vehicle; now, wishing to benefit those who retrogressed from the great, he therefore preached this sūtra.