法華義疏 8.169

8.169

偈文為三：初兩行，正請；次四行，釋請；後一行，結請。三中各二。初文二者：前一行，明歎佛已賜通記；次一行，正請別記也。次文二者：一行半，譬說；二行半，合譬。小無大食為「飢」，背小向大為「來」。「忽遇王饍」，得總記也。「未敢即食」，未得別記也。「若復得王教然後乃敢食」，若得別記領解方決也。「我等亦復如是」下，合前「如從飢國來」也。「雖聞佛音聲」下一行，合上「未敢即便食」也。「若蒙佛授記」下半行，合上「得王教然後乃敢食」也。後一行為二者：初半行，歎佛；次半行，結請。

The verse text has three parts: the first two verses properly request; the next four verses explain the request; the final verse concludes the request. Each of the three has two parts. As for the two parts of the first text: the first verse clarifies praising the Buddha for having already bestowed the general prophecy; the next verse properly requests an individual prophecy. As for the two parts of the next text: a verse and a half is a metaphorical explanation; two and a half verses apply the metaphor. The small lacking the great meal is 'hunger'; turning away from the small toward the great is 'coming.' 'Suddenly encountering the king's feast' is receiving the general prophecy. 'Not yet daring to eat immediately' is not yet having received an individual prophecy. 'If they again receive the king's instruction, only then will they dare to eat' is: if they receive an individual prophecy, their understanding will then be resolved. From 'We too are just like this' downward applies the preceding 'like coming from a hungry land.' The one verse from 'Though we hear the Buddha's voice' downward applies the above 'not yet daring to eat immediately.' The half verse from 'If we receive the Buddha's conferment of prophecy' downward applies the above 'receiving the king's instruction, only then will they dare to eat.' The final verse having two parts: the first half verse praises the Buddha; the next half verse concludes the request.