法華義疏 7.107

7.107

「時富長者」下，第二、明父見子。就文為三：初、明見子處；二、明見子便識；第三、明以識故歡喜。然父子相見實無前後，但欲示由感故應，故初說子見父、後明父見子耳。「於師子座」者，見子處也。「見子便識」，第二句，見其終有大機，識子曾受大化也。「心大歡喜」下，第三句，由識是兒，故心生歡喜。雖始無稟大之機，終有悟一之理，故言心大歡喜。「即作是念」下，釋歡喜凡有三意：初、明既有可化之理，將可付以法財故歡喜。「我常思念是子」下，第二、明本願滿故喜。慈悲者常欲被物，但昔日未見可救之理，而今化緣既發適慈悲之願，是故歡喜也。

From "at that time, the wealthy elder" onward, second, it explains the father seeing the son. As to the text, it has three parts: first, explaining the place where he saw the son; second, explaining that seeing the son, he immediately recognized him; third, explaining that on account of recognizing him, he rejoiced. However, in reality there is no before and after in the father and son seeing each other; it is merely to show that response occurs on account of resonance; hence it first speaks of the son seeing the father, and afterwards explains the father seeing the son. As for "on the lion seat," this is the place where he saw the son. "Seeing the son, he immediately recognized him" is the second phrase; seeing that he ultimately possessed a great capacity, he recognized that the son had previously received the great conversion. From "his heart greatly rejoiced" onward is the third phrase; because he recognized that this was his child, joy arose in his heart. Although initially there was no capacity to receive the great, ultimately there is the principle of awakening to the one; hence it says "his heart greatly rejoiced." From "he immediately had this thought" onward, the explanation of his rejoicing has three points in total: first, explaining that since there is the principle by which he can be converted, he will be able to be entrusted with the Dharma wealth, and therefore he rejoices. From "I have constantly thought of this child" onward, second, it explains rejoicing because his original vow is fulfilled. The compassionate one constantly wishes to benefit beings; previously, he had not yet seen the possibility of rescue, but now that the condition for conversion has arisen, it accords with the vow of compassion; therefore he rejoices.