妙法蓮華經玄贊 5.164

5.164

贊曰：上來第一周法說權實化上根訖，下第二周喻說權實化彼中根。大文分四：初佛以喻化，二〈信解品〉中根領悟，三〈藥草喻〉佛重述成，四〈授記品〉為之授記。上根聰叡不假多陳，下根三聞無勞廣說，故化中品文義俱繁。初文有二：初鶖子請，後佛說利。鶖子雖解，今復請者，略有三因：一益同類故，二利他行故，三順佛化故。前者法說已慇懃三請，今日已解故作是釋。初文分三：初陳自決，次述他疑，後正申請。此初也。

Eulogy: Above, the first cycle of preaching the provisional and real via Dharma to transform those of superior capacities has concluded; below is the second cycle, preaching the provisional and real via parables to transform those of middling capacities. The main text has four parts: first, the Buddha transforms them through a parable; second, in the Chapter on Faith and Understanding, those of middling capacities comprehend; third, in the Parable of the Medicinal Herbs, the Buddha reiterates and approves; fourth, in the Chapter on Bestowing Prophecies, he bestows prophecies upon them. Those of superior capacities are bright and keen, not requiring lengthy explanations; those of inferior capacities require three hearings and it is useless to explain extensively; therefore, transforming those of middling capacities involves rich text and meaning. The first passage has two parts: first, Śāriputra's request, and later, the Buddha's explanation of the benefit. Although Śāriputra had already understood, he now requests again for roughly three reasons: first, to benefit his peers; second, for the practice of benefiting others; third, to comply with the Buddha's conversion of beings. Formerly, regarding the Dharma preaching, he had already earnestly made three requests; today, having already understood, he makes this request. The first passage is divided into three: first, stating his own resolution; next, recounting the doubts of others; and finally, formally making the request. This is the first.