法華論疏 3.41

3.41

As for "From here on, for seven kinds of people": in examining the intention of the treatise, above, in the Skillful Means Chapter, the ekayāna dharma was taught generally for sentient beings; hence the later text of the treatise says, "The five sections of the Skillful Means Chapter are only to break the two and return to the one. From the Parable of the Burning House to the end of the sūtra, it specifically breaks the afflictions of ten kinds of people." Next, it clarifies the ten kinds of unexcelled meanings. With respect to the text, there are two parts: first, breaking the afflictions of ten kinds of people; next, clarifying the ten kinds of unexcelled [meanings]. The first also has two parts: first, it lists the exhortation to understand the counteractions and what is to be counteracted for the seven kinds of ordinary beings; next, it clarifies the exhortation to understand the counteractions and what is to be counteracted for noble beings without defilements. With respect to the first, there are again four parts: 1. identifying the persons for whose sake it is taught; 2. clarifying the counteractions; 3. distinguishing what is to be counteracted; 4. exhorting to understand. As for "sentient beings endowed with defilements and of an impure nature," this clarifies the persons for whose sake it is taught.