法華義疏 10.188

10.188

「父見子等苦惱如是」，第七、應緣說教譬。前譬為緣成道，此譬成道已後轉法輪也。文有二句：「父見子等」，譬佛見機也。「依諸經方」，第二、明說教也。依過去佛教，謂依諸經方。「求好藥草」者，教所表理。理能愈病，譬同藥草也。「色香美味」者，戒譬於色，定喻於香，慧譬於美味，三行圓備故稱具足。「檮蓰和合」者，初說小乘為檮，說中乘為蓰，說大乘為合。又法說為檮，譬說為蓰，合譬為合，如來說法不出此三。又總標為檮，別釋為蓰，總結為合，說法之儀不出標、釋、結也。又亦譬三轉法輪為檮、蓰、合。「而作是言」下，歎教也。「汝等可服」者，勸如說行也。

"The father, seeing his sons distressed like this": seventh, the parable of preaching the teaching in response to conditions. The preceding parable concerned attaining enlightenment for the sake of conditions; this parable concerns turning the wheel of the Dharma after attaining enlightenment. The text has two clauses: "The father, seeing his sons..." is a parable for the Buddha discerning their spiritual capacities. "In accord with various medical treatises": second, explaining the preaching of the teaching. Relying on the past Buddhas' teachings is called "in accord with various medical treatises." "Sought good medicinal herbs": the Principle expressed by the teaching. Because the Principle can cure disease, it is parabolically compared to medicinal herbs. "Color, fragrance, and fine flavor": morality is compared to color, concentration is compared to fragrance, and wisdom is compared to fine flavor; the three practices being fully complete, they are called "fully possessing." "Pounded, sifted, and blended together": first preaching the Small Vehicle is pounding; preaching the Middle Vehicle is sifting; preaching the Great Vehicle is blending. Furthermore, literal preaching is pounding, parabolic preaching is sifting, and applying the parable is blending; the Tathāgata's preaching of the Dharma does not exceed these three. Furthermore, general indication is pounding, particular explanation is sifting, and summary conclusion is blending; the ritual form of preaching the Dharma does not exceed indication, explanation, and conclusion. Moreover, it also compares the three turnings of the wheel of the Dharma to pounding, sifting, and blending. From "and made this statement" onward: praising the teaching. "You may take this": exhorting them to practice in accord with what was preached.