法華義疏 2.10

2.10

Heavenly flowers, incense, and the like are called 'offerings' (gong); sustaining the Buddha is termed 'nourishment' (yang). Humility and awe are called 'reverence' (gong); honoring his wisdom and virtue is 'respect' (jing). That among all sentient beings none equals the Buddha is called 'honored' (zun); feeling a reliance upon him that exceeds that of heaven covering and earth bearing us is called 'venerated' (zhong). Extolling his genuine virtue is 'praise' (zan); and when praise is not yet sufficient, further chanting his glory is 'eulogy' (tan). Although there are four phrases, they do not exceed the three karmas: the first two pertain to physical karma, the next one pertains to mental karma, and praising and eulogizing are verbal karma. These all belong to the events in the Innumerable Meanings Sūtra (Wuliangyi jing). That sūtra says: 'They made offerings with heavenly incense and the like,' 'Bodhisattva Mahāvyūharāja folded his hands in reverence, respect, and honor,' and speaking a seven-character verse in praise of the Buddha is what is meant by 'praising and eulogizing.' The compiler of the sūtra briefly drew upon the intention of that sūtra in order to initiate this teaching.