[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [妙法蓮華經玄贊](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723) › 5.7 # 妙法蓮華經玄贊 5.7 妙法蓮華經玄贊 5.7 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [5.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.5.7) 釋妨者，一問：此以喻曉理名譬喻品，前直以法彰應名法品。答：前後相例理實應然，立者不同何詳所以，但以方便者法中之別義，譬喻者況中之通名，通、別既殊得名遂別，未可相例。二問：何故七喻唯此獨名，餘兼別稱？答：喻雖有七，此最初故，雖標總稱即自別名，餘品不單名譬喻故。三問：中根領、記別標信解，上根領、記理應別開，何故此品之初寄明鶖子領記等事。答中根、領、記文廣義長，所以別開，鶖子不然故寄此說。又因鶖子領記啟請方陳喻況，故在此初寄明領記。 > Resolving objections: First question: If this chapter is named the "Parable Chapter" because it uses parables to make the principle clear, then the preceding chapter, which directly revealed the Dharma, should have been named the "Dharma Chapter." Answer: While by analogy between earlier and later it should in principle be so, the establishing \[of names\] varies; why deliberate over the cause? It is simply that "expedient means" is a specific meaning within the Dharma, whereas "parable" is a general designation for analogies; since general and specific differ, the derived names are consequently distinct, and they cannot be compared to each other. Second question: Why is this alone named solely by "Parable," while the other \[chapters with parables\] combine specific names? Answer: Although there are seven parables, this is the very first; thus although it marks the general designation, it is itself its specific name, because the other chapters are not simply named "Parable." Third question: The understanding and prophecy of those of medium faculties are separately marked as "Belief and Understanding," so the understanding and prophecy of those of superior faculties should by principle also be separately opened; why is it that the beginning of this chapter is used to clarify Śāriputra's understanding, prophecy, and so forth? Answer: The text and meaning of the understanding and prophecy of those of medium faculties are extensive and lengthy, which is why they are separately opened. For Śāriputra it is not so, hence it is explained here by lodging it \[in this chapter\]. Furthermore, it is because of Śāriputra's understanding, prophecy, and request that the parables and analogies are set forth; therefore at the beginning of this \[chapter\], his understanding and prophecy are lodged and clarified. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 5.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.5.6) - [Next: 5.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.5.8) - [Up: 5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.5) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723~en-mt.5.7) — English, machine translation --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.5.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1723.5.7) · Pramāṇa