妙法蓮華經玄贊 9.592

9.592

贊曰：此釋則為造僧坊供養。有二：初少指，後多指。少指有四：一數，二量，三僧住，四資具。「三十二」者，安四方僧、生八道故。「八多羅」者，修八解脫故。一多羅樹高七仞，相傳解一仞七尺，八多羅樹計可知矣。餘各有表，隨義應悉。「如是僧坊堂閣」下是多指，即是造如前僧坊，顯數多也。

The Eulogy says: This explains how it is equivalent to building monastic quarters and making offerings. It has two parts: first, indicating a small number; second, indicating a large number. Indicating a small number has four aspects: first, the number; second, the dimensions; third, the dwelling of the saṃgha; fourth, the material provisions. 'Thirty-two' signifies settling the saṃgha of the four directions and generating the Eightfold Path. 'Eight tāla trees' signifies cultivating the eight liberations. A single tāla tree is seven ren in height; traditionally, one ren is explained as seven chi, so eight tāla trees can be calculated accordingly. The rest each have their symbolism, which should be understood according to the principle. Below 'Monastic quarters, halls, and pavilions like these' indicates a large number; that is, building monastic quarters like those before, demonstrating their great number.