大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 7.2

7.2

Regarding the Commentary's words, "Second, the Chen and Sui dynasties," below, this concerns the Tiantai Four Teachings. Within this there are two parts: first, recounting the past; second, evaluating its agreements and disagreements. In the former there are also two parts: first, the lineage master; second, establishing the teachings. Concerning the lineage master, it mentions the Chen and Sui dynasties; therefore the Tiantai Biography says: "Across the two eras of Chen and Sui, he was teacher to three emperors." That is, one emperor of the Chen dynasty, namely the Last Ruler; and two emperors of the Sui, namely Emperor Wen and Emperor Yang. When Emperor Yang was Prince of Jin, he invited him to be his bodhisattva-precepts master. He passed away during the time of Emperor Yang; hence it says "the two dynasties of Chen and Sui." Tiantai is the name of a mountain; citing the place identifies the person. The monk's name was Zhiyi; as for calling him "Zhizhe" (the Wise One), the emperor conferred this title upon him to praise his virtue. Regarding "succeeding Nanyue," Wei Xuzhou's biography says: "Since the eastward transmission of Buddhism, these esoteric doctrines have been revealed—what Master [Hui]si realized, and what Great Master Zhizhe propagated. Therefore, upon their very first meeting, Master Si said: 'In the past on Vulture Peak we listened together to the Lotus [Sūtra]. Pursued by past affinities, you have come again now.' Furthermore, when entering the bodhimanda with a purified mind, he said: 'Were it not for you, it would not be realized; were it not for me, it would not be recognized.'" Because the fragrant legacy of teacher and disciple was transmitted, both are introduced together.