法華義疏 12.49

12.49

"Rose from his seat" is the second: the etiquette of asking. It comprises three phrases: First, rising from his seat. The *Classic of Filial Piety* says, "Zengzi moved off his mat"; the *Book of Rites* says, "When requesting instruction, one rises." Second, "bared his right shoulder": non-Buddhist texts say, "When toiling, do not bare the shoulder"; in the inner teachings, baring the shoulder when requesting the Way is due to different customs, just as in that country uncovering the head is a mark of ritual respect, while in this land wearing a cap is a mark of reverence. Third, "joined his palms facing the Buddha": baring the shoulder is used to show bodily reverence; joining the palms expresses singleness of mind. Just as the palms were originally in different places and are now joined into one, the mind was originally on other conditions and is now gathered and not scattered; since the mind is obscure and difficult to see, external actions are used to reveal the inner mind.