法華義疏 12.206

12.206

依《論》是第三過去勝功德力，能迴父邪見使發心得記，即是善知識力弘《法華經》。此品猶述藥王弘經，但流通《法華》凡四處辨於藥王：一、〈法師品〉因藥王告八萬大士，明二時弟子、二世法師嘆人美法示弘經方法。第二、〈藥王品〉述藥王本緣，明因《法華經》得悟，以身命財報恩，供養弘道利人。第三、〈陀羅尼品〉明持經功德，說呪擁護法師。第四、此品嘆藥王是眾生善知識，能令父王迴邪入正受記成佛。第二、第四明藥王過去世事，第一、第三辨藥王現在世事，所以偏說其人兩世事者，以於《法華》有重因緣，故為宣通之主，亦是根緣所宜也。應言「藥王本事品」，但立名相避，從所化之人立名，故云「妙莊嚴王本事品」。所以共為父子者，過去世時有四同學入山修道，一人往聚落求供養給之，於路見國王富貴榮華心自念言：「未得道中間，宜受此勝樂，不亦快乎！」三人得道，一人作國王。於是三人欲度脫之，而自念言：「天下親愛莫過兒婦。」一人作婦，二人作兒，共化度之。以此本緣，今世同為眷屬。

According to the Treatise, this is the third: the power of past superior merit, able to turn back the father's wrong views and cause him to produce the mind [of awakening] and receive prophecy; this is precisely the power of a good friend propagating the Lotus Sūtra. This chapter still recounts Bhaiṣajyarāja propagating the sūtra. But throughout the dissemination of the Lotus, Bhaiṣajyarāja is distinguished in four places: First, in the Dharma Master Chapter, relying on Bhaiṣajyarāja to address the eighty thousand great beings, clarifying the disciples of two periods and the dharma masters of two lifetimes, praising the person, extolling the Dharma, and showing the method of propagating the sūtra. Second, in the Former Deeds of the Medicine King Chapter, recounting Bhaiṣajyarāja's past causes, clarifying that relying on the Lotus Sūtra he attained awakening, and repaying kindness with body, life, and wealth, making offerings, propagating the path, and benefiting people. Third, in the Dhāraṇī Chapter, clarifying the merit of upholding the sūtra, and speaking incantations to protect the dharma master. Fourth, this chapter praises Bhaiṣajyarāja as a good friend to sentient beings, able to make the father king turn from the wrong and enter the right, receive prophecy, and achieve buddhahood. The second and fourth clarify the events of Bhaiṣajyarāja's past lives; the first and third distinguish the events of Bhaiṣajyarāja's present life. As for why the events of this person's two lifetimes are specifically spoken of, it is because he has weighty causes and conditions with the Lotus, and therefore acts as the leader of dissemination; it is also what accords with faculties and conditions. It should have been called "Former Deeds of Bhaiṣajyarāja Chapter"; but avoiding identical naming, it was named after the person who was transformed, and hence is called "Former Deeds of King Śubhavyūha Chapter". As for why they were father and sons together: in a past lifetime, there were four fellow students who entered the mountains to cultivate the path. One went to a village to seek offerings to supply them. On the road, he saw the wealth and glory of a king, and thought to himself: "In the interval before attaining the path, to enjoy such superior pleasure—would that not be delightful!" Three attained the path, and one became a king. Thereupon, the three wished to deliver him, and thought to themselves: "Under heaven, there is no intimacy greater than child and wife." One became his wife and two became his sons, and together they transformed and delivered him. Due to these past causes, in this life they are relatives together.