天台四教儀 1.23

1.23

問：將五味對五時教，其意如何？答：有二。一者、但取相生次第，所謂牛譬於佛，五味譬教。乳從牛出，酪從乳生，二酥、醍醐次第不亂，故譬五時相生次第。二者、取其濃淡，此則取一番下劣根性，所謂二乘根性，在華嚴座不信不解，不變凡情，故譬其乳；次至鹿苑聞三藏教，二乘根性依教修行，轉凡成聖，故譬轉乳成酪；次至方等聞彈斥聲聞，慕大恥小得通教益，如轉酪成生酥；次至般若，奉勅轉教，心漸通泰，得別教益，如轉生酥成熟酥；次至法華，聞三周說法，得記作佛，如轉熟酥成醍醐。此約最鈍根具經五味。其次者，或經一二三四，其上達根性，味味得入法界實相，何必須待《法華》開會？

Question: Regarding matching the five flavors to the teachings of the five periods, what is the meaning? Answer: There are two. First, simply taking the sequence of generation: the cow is an analogy for the Buddha, and the five flavors are analogies for the teachings. Milk comes from the cow, curd is generated from milk, and the two butters and ghee follow a sequence without confusion; thus they are an analogy for the sequential generation of the five periods. Second, taking their richness and thickness: this takes one group of the lowest capacities, namely the capacities of the two vehicles. In the Avataṃsaka assembly they did not believe and did not understand, and did not alter their ordinary feelings; hence this is compared to milk. Next, arriving at the Mṛgadāva, they heard the Tripitaka teaching; the capacities of the two vehicles cultivated practice in accordance with the teaching and transformed ordinary beings into sages; hence this is compared to transforming milk into curd. Next, arriving at the Vaipulya, they heard the reprimands of the śrāvakas, yearned for the great and felt ashamed of the small, and attained the benefit of the shared teaching; this is like transforming curd into raw butter. Next, arriving at the Prajñā, they received the command to turn over the teaching, their minds gradually broadened, and they attained the benefit of the distinct teaching; this is like transforming raw butter into clarified butter. Next, arriving at the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka, they heard the three rounds of preaching the Dharma and received prophecies of attaining buddhahood; this is like transforming clarified butter into ghee. This concerns the dullest capacities who fully undergo the five flavors. Those below them might undergo one, two, three, or four [flavors]. Those of superior capacities attained entry into the true reality of the Dharma realm at every single flavor; why would they need to await the opening and uniting of the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka?