法華義疏 3.258

3.258

「說此語時」下，第二，簡不淨眾也。就文亦三：第一句、正明罪人退席。「所以者何」下，第二、釋起去所由。凡有二義：一者、罪根深重；二者、有增上慢。又有二義：一者、大乘中有失；二者、小乘中有失。所言「罪」者，定執小乘謂為究竟，乖大乘理故稱為罪。故《涅槃經》云「求二乘者名為不善」。所言「根」者凡有二義：一者、過去修習小乘故稱為根；二者、因此執小遂生謗大故名為根。所言「深重」者，為釋疑故來，若封執小乘遂障隔大者，三根聲聞亦執小乘應隔於大，何故五千獨去而三根住耶？是故釋云：五千罪根深重，十方諸佛不能拔濟，是故退席。三根之人雖習小乘，罪根輕淺故獨住也。

From "When these words were spoken" downward is the second part, screening out the impure assembly. In the text there are also three parts: the first clause directly clarifies the transgressors leaving their seats. From "Why is this?" downward is the second part, explaining the reason for their rising and leaving. There are altogether two meanings: first, the roots of their transgressions were deep and heavy; second, they had overweening pride. There are also two further meanings: first, having a fault regarding the Mahāyāna; second, having a fault regarding the Hīnayāna. As for "transgression", obstinately grasping the Hīnayāna and deeming it ultimate goes against the principle of the Mahāyāna, and is therefore called a transgression. Hence the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: "Seeking the two vehicles is called unwholesome." As for "roots", there are altogether two meanings: first, having cultivated and practiced the Hīnayāna in the past, they are called roots; second, because of this attachment to the small, they subsequently gave rise to slandering the great, and so they are called roots. As for "deep and heavy", this comes to resolve a doubt: if clinging obstinately to the Hīnayāna were to obstruct and separate one from the great, the śrāvakas of the three capacities were also attached to the Hīnayāna and should have been separated from the great; why did the five thousand alone leave while those of the three capacities remained? Therefore it is explained: the roots of transgression of the five thousand were deep and heavy, such that the buddhas of the ten directions could not rescue them; therefore they left their seats. Although the people of the three capacities had practiced the Hīnayāna, the roots of their transgressions were light and shallow, so they alone remained.