法華玄論 10.67

10.67

Someone said: All wholesome dharmas do not go beyond the ten good deeds, beginning from not killing to not holding wrong views. If one maintains the single precept against killing and adorns it with the other nine matters such as not stealing, then each and every wholesome deed will be endowed with the ten good deeds, and the ten good deeds become one hundred good deeds. These one hundred good deeds have practicing for oneself, transforming others, praising, and rejoicing in accord, thus making four hundred. Matching these four hundred with the five kinds of dharma masters, each of the five kinds of dharma masters has four hundred, combining to make two thousand good deeds. These two thousand good deeds each have three grades—superior, middling, and inferior—thus making six thousand. But because the function of three faculties is strong, they have twelve hundred [merits]; because the function of three faculties is weak, they have eight hundred. Critique: The meaning of this explanation is that only when fully endowed with the five kinds of dharma masters does one possess the six thousand; a single dharma master does not have six thousand. Yet the sūtra says that if one reads, recites, or even copies, it is not necessary to be fully endowed with all five masters to have the six thousand; one who can read, understand, and cultivate practice in accordance with the teaching also obtains the six thousand. However, this meaning is difficult to clarify and cannot be interpreted conclusively.