法華義疏 10.146

10.146

初門三者：第一、明過去久成，顯真實義；第二、釋疑，開方便門義；第三、總結，正答其問。故前明過去久成，時眾以昔近疑今遠，故須解釋，解釋既竟方結久成。又初明久成顯真實義，次釋疑謂開方便門，此二既彰，故須重結。初門又二：第一、明證法身久；二、明垂應亦久。證法身久明自德滿，垂應久明化他德圓。又證法身久破近執，垂應久釋眾疑。初證法身久為三：初、總標如來祕密神通之力；二、牒執情；三、破近顯遠。今明佛壽，故標如來也。昔未曾說稱之為祕，所祕之法甚深故名為密，實長示短因為神通，令物反本還源稱之為力。「一切世間」下，第二、出執情。「皆謂」之言正是執情。「釋迦」以下，出所執也。「然善男子」下，第三、破執顯遠。又開四別：一、法說；二、舉譬問彌勒；三、彌勒奉答；四、佛合譬正明壽遠。初法說中明成佛久者，

The three parts of the first gate are: first, clarifying attainment long ago in the past, illuminating the real meaning; second, resolving doubts, which has the meaning of opening the expedient means gate; third, the general conclusion, directly answering his question. Hence, having first clarified attainment long ago in the past, the assembly at that time doubted the present distance due to the past proximity, so an explanation is required; only when the explanation is finished does it conclude with attainment long ago. Furthermore, first clarifying attainment long ago illuminates the real meaning, and next resolving doubts means opening the expedient means gate; since these two have been made manifest, a restated conclusion is required. The first gate also has two parts: first, clarifying that the realization of the dharmakāya was long ago; second, clarifying that manifesting responsive bodies has also been for long. The realization of the dharmakāya being long ago clarifies the perfection of his own virtue; manifesting responses for long clarifies that his virtue of transforming others is complete. Furthermore, realizing the dharmakāya long ago refutes attachment to proximity; manifesting responses for long resolves the doubts of the assembly. The first part, realizing the dharmakāya long ago, has three divisions: first, generally indicating the Tathāgata's secret supernatural powers; second, reciting the attached sentiments; third, refuting proximity and revealing distance. As it now clarifies the Buddha's lifespan, it designates the Tathāgata. Not having been spoken in the past is called "secret"; the Dharma kept secret is exceedingly deep, hence called "hidden"; displaying shortness when it is actually long is due to supernatural power; causing beings to return to the fundamental source is called "power". From "All the world..." downward is the second part: expressing the attached sentiments. The words "all say" precisely indicate the attached sentiment. From "Śākyamuni..." downward expresses what was attached to. From "However, good men..." downward is the third part: refuting attachment and revealing distance. This is further divided into four: first, exposition in Dharma; second, posing a parable and questioning Maitreya; third, Maitreya reverently replying; fourth, the Buddha matching the parable and properly clarifying the great distance of the lifespan. First, in the exposition in Dharma clarifying that attainment of Buddhahood was long ago: