大乘入道次第開決 1.3

1.3

稽首等者。以下釋文大分三段。初三行頌致敬述意分。夫欲已下正諫所說分。最後一頌結說迴向分。初分之中又分為二。前之二頌歸敬三寶。後一行頌述製作意。前中又二。初之二字是能乘相。其無上等是所敬德。言稽首者。稽者屈也。首者頭也。屈所尊之頭禮所卑之足。顯敬之極故言稽首。無上等者。顯所乘相。於中有三。謂佛法僧。前之四句顯其佛寶。上之兩句顯佛二利之因行也。後之兩句明佛二利之果德也。前復有二。此句則顯自利因行。調謂調和。御謂制御。調和制御身語意業。離惡進善成自利行。

'Bowing the head', and so forth: the commentary below is broadly divided into three sections. The first three verses are the section expressing reverence and stating the intention. From 'Now, wishing…' onward is the section correctly explaining what is taught. The final verse is the section concluding the teaching and dedicating merit. The first section is further divided into two. The first two verses take refuge in and pay homage to the Three Jewels; the latter single verse states the intention in composing the work. The former also has two parts: the first two words indicate the characteristics of the one who rides; 'the unsurpassed', and so forth, indicates the virtues that are revered. As for 'bowing the head', 'bowing' means bending down; 'head' means the head. Bending one's exalted head to salute the lowly feet displays the utmost reverence; hence it says 'bowing the head'. 'The unsurpassed', and so forth, reveals the characteristics of the vehicle. Within it, there are three, namely the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. The first four lines display the Buddha Jewel. The upper two lines display the causal practices of the Buddha's two benefits. The lower two lines clarify the resultant virtues of the Buddha's two benefits. The former again has two parts: this line displays the causal practice of self-benefit. 'Harmonizing' means harmonizing; 'regulating' means controlling. Harmonizing and controlling the actions of body, speech, and mind, leaving behind evil and advancing in good, completes the practice of self-benefit.