法華義疏 12.55

12.55

The Buddha's reply has four parts: first, explaining his name; second, encouraging the upholding of his name; third, appraising the merit of upholding his name; fourth, concluding with praise. Because the name was asked about, the name must first be explained; because explaining the name brings vast benefits, he encourages upholding the name; because the merit of this one person's name equals that of many bodhisattvas' names, he appraises it to establish the meaning of encouraging its upholding. The first part also has three distinctions: first, explaining the name Avalokiteśvara (Observing the Sounds of the World); second, explaining the name Observing the Intentions of the World; third, explaining the name Observing the Bodies of the World. In each of these, he first explains and then concludes with praise—that is, three explanations and three praises. Akṣayamati asked about only one name, yet the Buddha answered with many: the question was concise, but the answer was extensive, as explained above. Furthermore, fully explaining the three names is to reveal that the observed realm is complete and the illuminating observation is sufficient: realms do not go beyond the three karmas, so he observes only the three karmas, and thus three names were established. The realm observed possesses all three karmas; the bodhisattva's capacity to observe is only the mental karma. Furthermore, three names are established because there are sentient beings who are delivered by reciting the name; there are sentient beings who cannot speak with the mouth and can only be mindful in their hearts; there are sentient beings who cannot speak with the mouth and whose minds are scattered, yet their bodies can pay homage. Furthermore, sentient beings have different taboos, so multiple names must be established.