大般涅槃經義記 4.124

4.124

就日喻中，文別有三：一喻佛身業、二「如來所說方等」已下喻佛口業、三「而如來性實無」下結。身中先舉三時之喻，後約顯法。口中有三：一明如來所說大乘，於未來世傳法之人利益廣多，猶如夏雨；二明如來所說小法，令二乘人多生厭離，猶如冬雨，多致冷病；三明如來所說大乘微密教誨，能令菩薩善芽開敷，猶如春雨，多有出生。結中偏就身業以結，身無長短，為世間故，示有脩促，實無長短，即是諸佛真法性身。

Within the sun metaphor, the text contains three distinct parts: first, a metaphor for the Buddha's bodily karma; second, from "The vaipulya [sūtras] spoken by the Tathāgata" onward, a metaphor for the Buddha's verbal karma; and third, from "Yet the nature of the Tathāgata is truly without..." onward, the conclusion. Within [the section on] bodily [karma], it first adduces the metaphor of the three times of day, and then applies it to reveal the Dharma. Within [the section on] verbal [karma], there are three parts: first, it explains that the Mahāyāna spoken by the Tathāgata broadly and abundantly benefits those who transmit the Dharma in future ages, just like summer rain; second, it explains that the lesser dharmas spoken by the Tathāgata cause practitioners of the two vehicles mostly to give rise to revulsion and detachment, just like winter rain, which mostly causes cold-illnesses; third, it explains that the subtle, esoteric teachings and instructions of the Mahāyāna spoken by the Tathāgata can cause the sprouts of wholesome roots in bodhisattvas to blossom, just like spring rain, which brings forth abundant growth. Within the conclusion, it concludes specifically with regard to bodily karma: the body has neither long nor short [duration]; yet for the sake of the world, it manifests as long or short, while truly having neither long nor short—which is precisely the true dharmatā-kāya of all buddhas.