法華義疏 2.415

2.415

Regarding the forty-three verses versifying the prose: the prose has four gates: first, the gate of modesty; second, the gate of answering by briefly citing past events—these two are not yet clear, so they are now omitted and not versified. It only versifies the third gate of answering by extensively citing past events, and the fourth gate of answering clearly. In the prose, taking the initial gate, there are two parts: first, clarifying events prior to the Lotus; second, clarifying events from the Lotus onward. Now versifying these two gives precisely two. Events prior to the Lotus also has two: first, clarifying the initial Buddha; second, distinguishing all the other Buddhas. Now versifying them together, there are four lines in total: the initial half-line clarifies the time; the half-line clarifies the teaching master; one line distinguishes the gate of teaching; three lines introduce the disciples. The teaching master is the good physician. The gate of teaching is the good medicine. The disciples are those who take the medicine and recover from illness. Since the encompassing of matters is complete, it clarifies only these three things.