法華義疏 8.256

8.256

The other two directions are as in the text. From the southwest down to the nadir is the second section, analogizing to the remaining six directions. In the verse of praise spoken by the Brahmā kings of the zenith, ten and a half verses are divided into two: the first eight and a half verses praise the Buddha; the next two verses request the acceptance of the offerings. Praising first and requesting later means that praising first clarifies that the Buddha possesses supreme virtues, and therefore subsequently they request the acceptance of the offerings. Within the initial praise, the first two verses praise the Buddha's virtues of loving-kindness and compassion: the first verse praises great compassion, and the next verse praises great loving-kindness. From 'In the past, countless kalpas ago' down, there are six and a half verses, which is the second [part], praising the difficulty of encountering the Buddha. The first four and a half verses explain not encountering the Buddha in the past; the next two verses celebrate themselves for now being able to encounter the Buddha. Within the first four and a half verses there are two parts: the first three and a half verses explain that sentient beings who give rise to craving do not encounter the Buddha. The single verse 'Dwelling in doctrines of wrong views' explains that sentient beings who give rise to views do not encounter the Buddha.