妙法蓮華經玄贊 7.19

7.19

The Commentary says: The second part has nine verses on the son seeing him, taking fright, and fleeing. Within this there are three parts: first, three verses on happening upon the father's house; next, two and a half verses on the marks of the father that he saw; and last, three and a half verses on having seen him, taking fright, and fleeing. The first part has two: first, one and a half verses on roaming and seeking; and second, one and a half verses on arriving in distress. This is the first. Suo is pronounced with the fanqie suo-ji or su-ge; it means begging, and also seeking. The meaning of ‘countries and towns’ has already been explained in the prose. ‘Obtaining something’ means encountering a true and genuine kalyāṇamitra within the Buddhadharma. ‘Obtaining nothing’ means a false or deceptive acquaintance.