法華義疏 4.230

4.230

「思惟是事已」下，第二、正說小乘，文有七句。前明欲說三乘時，謂再思已決宜應說三。「即趣波羅捺」，第二、明說三乘處。波羅捺此云鹿林，昔在王以林施鹿故云鹿林。《毘婆沙》云「仙人薗」，昔有仙人在此處住，因以為名。又翻為繞河城，城有水繞。今謂波羅捺是其通處，鹿林是其別處。迦毘羅國正是天竺之中央，諸國皆在四方也。波羅捺在迦毘羅之西相去九百六十里，佛轉法輪處在波羅捺之北相去二十里，樹名香淨。

From "Having contemplated this matter" onward is the second part: directly preaching the Hīnayāna; the text has seven phrases. The preceding clarified the time when he wished to preach the triyāna, meaning that having reconsidered and decided, he should preach the three. "Immediately went to Vārāṇasī" is the second phrase, clarifying the place of preaching the triyāna. "Vārāṇasī" is translated here as Deer Forest; in the past, a king gave the forest to deer, hence it is called Deer Forest. The *Vibhāṣā* calls it the "Rṣi Grove"; in the past, ṛṣis lived in this place, and it was named after them. It is also translated as "River-Encircling City," as the city was encircled by water. Now, we say that Vārāṇasī is the general location, while the Deer Forest is the specific location. The kingdom of Kapilavastu is right in the center of India, and all the other kingdoms are in the four directions. Vārāṇasī is to the west of Kapilavastu, nine hundred and sixty li away; the place where the Buddha turned the wheel of the Dharma is twenty li north of Vārāṇasī, and the tree is named Pure Fragrance.