法華義疏 3.257

3.257

就初為二：一、長行；二、偈頌。長行為二：一、緣起；二、正說。緣起有三：初、許說誡聽；二、簡不淨眾；三、歎淨眾。初有三句：初句明不得不說。以請既會理稱機，佛若不說則乖理失機，故云「豈得不說」。「汝今諦聽」下，第二、誡聽也。「諦聽」令生聞慧，「善思」令生思慧，「念之」令生修慧。又「諦聽」令離散亂心如不覆器，「善思」令其悟解如不臭器，「念之」令其憶持如不漏器。「吾當為汝」下，第三、許為說也。

Within the first part there are two: 1. prose; 2. verse. The prose has two parts: 1. the circumstance of origin; 2. the direct preaching. The circumstance of origin has three: first, promising to preach and admonishing to listen; second, screening out the impure assembly; third, praising the pure assembly. The first part has three clauses: the first clause explains that he cannot but preach. Since the request accords with principle and corresponds to the capacities, if the Buddha did not preach he would go against principle and fail the capacities; hence it says, "How could I not preach?" From "Listen closely now" downward is the second part, admonishing them to listen. "Listen closely" causes the wisdom of hearing to arise; "reflect well" causes the wisdom of reflection to arise; "be mindful of it" causes the wisdom of cultivation to arise. Furthermore, "listen closely" causes them to be free from a distracted mind, like an upright vessel; "reflect well" causes them to comprehend, like a vessel without foulness; "be mindful of it" causes them to remember and retain it, like an unleaking vessel. From "I shall speak for you" downward is the third part, promising to preach for them.