法華義疏 8.41

8.41

「譬如三千大千」下，第二、譬說。前、開譬，次、合譬。今以三義釋此譬文：一、廣開有八譬，二、合八為四譬，三、合四成二譬。言八譬者：一、能生大地譬；二、所生草木譬；三、興雲譬；四、澍雨譬；五、受潤譬；六、增長譬；七、同一地一雨譬；八、草木差別譬。此之八譬即是次第，前有大地能生，次有草木所生，以有草木是故興雲，初既興雲次必澍雨，既有雲雨即草木受潤，初既受潤後即增長，雖有受潤增長然俱是一雨所潤一地所生，雖能生能潤是一而諸草木各有差別，故此八譬次第而來也。然要具八義譬義乃圓。今略合之，過去世佛教能生如地，所生五乘善根種子如草木，既有五乘種子感佛出世故如興雲，如來出世必說正法次明澍雨，眾生初稟佛教歡喜故名受潤，各蒙利益譬之增長，至理無二如一地一雨，於五乘得益不同如草木差別也。

From "Suppose that in a major trichiliocosm" downward is the second [section], the exposition in parables. First, setting forth the parable; next, matching the parable [to its referents]. Here we explain this parable text by means of three meanings: first, broadly opened, there are eight parables; second, combining the eight into four parables; third, combining the four into two parables. As for the eight parables: 1. the parable of the great earth capable of producing; 2. the parable of the grasses and trees produced; 3. the parable of the rising cloud; 4. the parable of the downpouring rain; 5. the parable of receiving moisture; 6. the parable of growing; 7. the parable of the same one earth and one rain; 8. the parable of the distinctions among the grasses and trees. These eight parables form a sequential order: first there is the great earth that can produce; next there are the grasses and trees that are produced; because there are grasses and trees, the cloud therefore rises; since the cloud first rises, next rain must pour down; once there are cloud and rain, the grasses and trees then receive moisture; having first received moisture, they subsequently grow; although there are receiving moisture and growing, they are nevertheless all moistened by one rain and produced by one earth; although that which can produce and that which can moisten are one, the various grasses and trees each have their distinctions. Thus, these eight parables proceed in sequence. However, all eight meanings must be complete for the sense of the parable to be consummate. Now, briefly matching them: the Buddha's teachings of past ages, capable of producing, are like the earth; the seeds of good roots of the five vehicles produced are like the grasses and trees; since there are the seeds of the five vehicles that evoke the Buddha's appearance in the world, this is like the rising of the cloud; when the Tathāgata appears in the world, he must teach the true Dharma, which is next explained as the downpouring rain; when sentient beings first receive the Buddha's teachings and rejoice, this is called receiving moisture; their each receiving benefit is likened to growing; the ultimate principle is non-dual, like the one earth and one rain; their receiving different benefits in the five vehicles is like the distinctions among the grasses and trees.