法華義疏 8.52

8.52

「迦葉！如來亦復如是」下，第二、合譬。但合七譬、不合大地譬，以大地是過去佛教，今正明現在法門，故略不合之也。就合七譬開為二章：初、合前五譬；次、合後同異雨譬。以前五譬明昔教、後二譬辨今教，故開兩段合之也。合初五譬又開為二：第一、正合五譬；次、舉譬帖之。就合前五譬轉勢明義與譬說不同，第一、合雲譬；二、合草木譬；三、合雨譬；四、合受潤譬；五、合增長譬。所以與譬本不同者，譬本欲明由感故應，故前明草木、後辨雲雨。今欲明前有如來出世唱於德號，故前合雲；眾生聞唱德號故來至佛所，故次合草木；眾生既來至佛所故如來便為說法，故次合雨譬；眾生聞法歡喜，故次合受潤譬；各蒙利益故次合增長譬。

From "Kāśyapa, the Tathāgata is also like this" downward is the second [section], matching the parable [to its referents]. It only matches seven parables and does not match the parable of the great earth, because the great earth is the Buddha's teaching of the past, while here it is directly clarifying the present Dharma-gate, so it is briefly omitted and not matched. In matching the seven parables, it is opened into two sections: first, matching the former five parables; next, matching the latter two parables of the rain of sameness and difference. Because the former five parables explain the past teachings and the latter two parables distinguish the present teaching, it is thus opened into two passages to match them. Matching the first five parables is again opened into two: first, directly matching the five parables; next, adducing the parables to align with them. In matching the former five parables, the dynamic shifts to clarify meanings differently from the parabolic exposition: first, matching the parable of the cloud; second, matching the parable of the grasses and trees; third, matching the parable of the rain; fourth, matching the parable of receiving moisture; fifth, matching the parable of growing. The reason this differs from the root parable is that the root parable intended to explain that response arises on account of evocation, hence it previously explained the grasses and trees and subsequently distinguished the cloud and rain. Now it intends to explain that first there is the Tathāgata's appearance in the world proclaiming his virtuous titles, so it first matches the cloud; sentient beings, hearing the proclamation of the virtuous titles, therefore come to the Buddha's abode, so next it matches the grasses and trees; since sentient beings have come to the Buddha's abode, the Tathāgata then preaches the Dharma for them, so next it matches the parable of the rain; sentient beings, hearing the Dharma, rejoice, so next it matches the parable of receiving moisture; each receiving benefit, it next matches the parable of growing.