大般涅槃經義記 1.241

1.241

In the first entreaty, first is the metaphor, next the application, and from 'We only pray' onward concludes the entreaty for the Buddha to abide. In the metaphor, 'like a king' is a metaphor for the Buddha, the Tathāgata. 'Giving birth to many sons' is a metaphor for the bhikṣus; because they arise from the Buddha's transformation, he says 'giving birth.' The capacities for the Way not being perverse is called 'having handsome appearances'; the noble mind's compassionate pity is called 'always dearly loving them.' Exhorting and instructing them in the three trainings is called 'teaching'; what was practiced all being accomplished is called 'being completely proficient in all arts.' This metaphor represents having a beginning; below, it illustrates having no end. The Buddha abandoning them for extinction, causing the bhikṣus to be afflicted by the birth and death of change, is called handing them over to an executioner to be killed. Next is the application: 'We today are the sons of the Dharma King' applies to the princes above; 'receiving the Buddha's instruction' applies to teaching the arts; 'already endowed with right view' applies to being completely proficient, and can also apply to the handsome appearance above. This applies to having a beginning; below applies to having no end. 'May you not abandon us' inversely applies to handing over to be killed; 'if you abandon us' directly applies to handing over to be killed. The concluding entreaty is understandable.