金光明經文句記 1.31

1.31

Second, from "Beginning end" onward, explicating the three meanings. "Xu" refers to the end of a cocoon's thread. Whenever pulling silk from a cocoon, one first pulls its end; only when the end is unwound does one see its silk. Now, having the five matters at the beginning is like the end of the silk. "Guan" is pronounced in the departing tone. "Narrating what is about to come, relating the forthcoming benefit": this means narrating the benefit of the main body and transmission that will be present at that time; hence this preface narrates the following seventeen chapters. "Initiating" (fa) means developing the faith of living beings' capacities. "Arising" (qi) means giving rise to the holy response of the teaching. This preface, by manifesting auspicious signs, startles and stirs the feelings of living beings, causing their faithful minds to be reverent and expectant, so that the teaching will certainly bring profound benefit.