妙法蓮華經玄贊 3.22

3.22

Fourth, the accomplishment of expounding: that is, with various words and expressions, through the four unhindered knowledges, relying on whatever names, words, and phrases, and according with whatever sentient beings are able to receive, he expounds for them. 'Relying on whatever' means whatever meaning, which is the unhindered knowledge of meaning (artha-pratisaṃvid). 'Whatever names, words, and phrases' means the names, words, and phrases of whatever kind, which is the unhindered knowledge of dharmas (dharma-pratisaṃvid). 'According with whatever' means expounding in accordance with the speech and sounds of sentient beings of whatever region, which is the unhindered knowledge of language (nirukti-pratisaṃvid). 'Expounding according to whatever sentient beings are able to receive' means that according to the capacity of whatever sentient beings can receive it, the Buddha then expounds for them, which is the unhindered knowledge of eloquence (pratibhāna-pratisaṃvid). Among these four, the first can generate the transformation body to manifest the eight aspects of attaining the Path; the second can manifest the defiled and pure principles of all dharmas; the third completely attains them in accordance with the expounded Dharma; the fourth is endowed with the four unhindered knowledges. Because the Buddha as dharma-master is endowed with these four kinds of accomplished causes for speaking and achieves supreme excellence, the Dharma he expounds is also supremely excellent. After explaining the four phrases, the Treatise re-explains the distinction between the second phrase and the fourth phrase, saying: 'The accomplishment of teaching and transforming relies on the realized Dharma, whereas the accomplishment of expounding relies on the expounded Dharma. Expounding for others in sequence the defiled and pure principles of suffering, accumulation, cessation, and the path in reliance on one's own realization is called the second, the accomplishment of teaching and transforming. Expounding for others in sequence the meaning, dharmas, language, and eloquence in reliance on the expounded Dharma is called the fourth, the accomplishment of expounding; both are without confusion.' Or, regarding the previous four kinds: the first line is the virtue of the transformation body, the second line is the virtue of the reward body, the third line is the virtue of the dharma body, and the fourth line is the endowment with the four eloquences. Because of being endowed with these three bodies and four eloquences, he is able to initiate exposition. Because the three bodies are complete, his wisdom is profound; because the four eloquences are complete, his wisdom-gate is profound. Therefore, these causes and conditions are the previous three kinds: the three of expedient means, knowledge and vision, and mindfulness and contemplation. Similes are none other than the various words and expressions.