法華義疏 8.281

8.281

「爾時十六王子」下，第二、請說大乘法輪。所以請者凡有二義：一者、見諸人皆成羅漢，大機欲熟，故為請說大乘。二者、遠欲譏斥今日下根聲聞，明我昔日為汝諸人以請說《法華》，況今成佛而不為汝說大乘耶？自昔至今凡經幾載說，猶故不解，此為極愚也。就此文亦三：初、為請法故出家；二、正請；三、王眷屬亦隨出家。「皆以童子出家」者，四歲已上稱為童子，即表菩薩修童真行也。又幼而悟道則眾所歸伏。出家者欲通化道俗，在家之人不得化出家人。二者、欲引導八萬億人令出家。「沙彌」，此云息惡行慈。謂息惡行慈，欲表菩薩為物請法有大慈也。前稱智積舉智慧門，今名沙彌明功德門也。作沙彌覆講者，明幼而早悟世所希有，使物信之。如身子八歲登坐說法，道俗讚揚震名遐邇。「俱白佛言」下，第二、正請。「聲聞皆已成就」，有二義：一、欲令其迴小入大；二、明已化小今須教大。「爾時轉輪聖王」下，第三、王眷屬出家。以見王子捨於重位，故亦隨出家。

From "At that time the sixteen princes" onward is the second [part], requesting the turning of the Dharma wheel of the Mahāyāna. As for why they requested it, there are two reasons in all: First, seeing that everyone had become arhats and their capacity for the Great [Vehicle] was about to ripen, they therefore requested the expounding of the Mahāyāna for them. Second, from afar they wished to satirize and reproach the śrāvakas of inferior roots today, clarifying: "In the past, I requested the expounding of the Lotus Sūtra for all of you; how much more so now that I have become a Buddha, would I not expound the Mahāyāna for you? From the past down to the present, over how many aeons of expounding have passed, yet you still do not understand! This is utmost foolishness." In this text there are also three [parts]: First, leaving home for the sake of requesting the Dharma; second, the actual request; third, the king's retinue also follows them in leaving home. As for "all left home while boys," those aged four and above are called boys, which symbolizes the bodhisattvas practicing the pure conduct of youth. Furthermore, awakening to the Path when young is something to which all submit. As for leaving home, it is to convert both monastics and laity alike, for laypersons cannot convert those who have left home. Second, it is to lead eighty billion people to leave home. "Śrāmaṇera" is translated here as "halting evil and practicing kindness." "Halting evil and practicing kindness" symbolizes that the bodhisattvas have great kindness in requesting the Dharma for sentient beings. Previously, calling [him] Wisdom Accumulation brought up the gate of wisdom; now, calling [them] śrāmaṇeras clarifies the gate of merit. Acting as śrāmaṇeras to repeat the lectures clarifies that awakening early while young is rare in the world, causing beings to believe them. Just as Śāriputra ascended the seat to expound the Dharma at the age of eight, and monastics and laity praised him, his name resounding near and far. From "Together addressed the Buddha, saying" onward is the second [part], the actual request. "The śrāvakas have all already been accomplished" has two meanings: 1. Wishing to cause them to turn from the Small and enter the Great; 2. Clarifying that having already transformed the Small, now one must instruct the Great. From "At that time the wheel-turning sage king" onward is the third [part], the king's retinue leaving home. Because they saw the princes renounce their exalted positions, they therefore also followed them in leaving home.