法華義疏 6.187

6.187

「告舍利弗」下，此是頌長行第三大段，勸弘經也。就文為二：第一、令識法之權實；第二、示人之是非，識法權實者，令知今昔大小二法權實義也。示人之是非者，令今是器須授、非器莫傳。夫欲弘經要復備達斯二義，故開此兩章。就初示法權實為三：第一、寄父子恩情，以顯大小權實；第二、引菩薩為證，明大小權實；第三、明佛是法王，釋今昔權實之意。初寄父子恩情明權實者，夫為父子恩情，必無相欺之道，故所說權實宜應信之。就文為二：前兩偈，定於父子；後一偈半，正示權實。初又開二：前偈定於父子，後偈出慈父之恩。後一偈半亦二：初偈，明昔教非實；次半行，辨佛智為實也。「但盡生死」者，但盡分段一重生死也。

From "Telling Śāriputra" downward, this versifies the third major section of the prose, exhorting the propagation of the sūtra. Regarding the text, there are two parts: first, causing them to recognize the provisional and the real in the teachings; second, showing the right and wrong among persons. Causing them to recognize the provisional and the real in the teachings means causing them to know the provisional and real meanings of the two teachings, the Great and the Small, of the present and the past. Showing the right and wrong among persons means that those of the present who are proper vessels must be imparted [the teaching], while to those who are non-vessels it must not be transmitted. Indeed, if one wishes to propagate the sūtra, one must thoroughly master both of these meanings; therefore, these two headings are opened. In the first [part], showing the provisional and the real in the teachings, there are three: first, drawing upon the affectionate bonds between father and child to reveal the provisional and real of the Great and Small; second, citing the bodhisattvas as proof to clarify the provisional and real of the Great and Small; third, clarifying that the Buddha is the Dharma King to explain the intention behind the provisional and real of the present and the past. Regarding the first, clarifying the provisional and real by drawing upon the affectionate bonds between father and child: indeed, in the affectionate bonds between father and child, there can never be any way of deceiving one another; therefore, what is preached regarding the provisional and the real should properly be believed. Regarding the text, there are two parts: the preceding two verses establish the father and child; the subsequent verse and a half directly shows the provisional and the real. The first part further opens into two: the preceding verse establishes the father and child; the subsequent verse brings forth the grace of the compassionate father. The subsequent verse and a half also has two: the first verse clarifies that the past teaching was not real; the next half-verse distinguishes the Buddha's cognition as real. "Merely extinguishing birth and death" means merely extinguishing the single layer of life and death that is portion and limit.