英語訳
## Page Forty-Six
### [Upper Section]
The passage (speaking of the future fruit) can likewise be extended to apply to the Dharma-teacher who expounds the Dharma. The word "Dharma-teacher" (*hōshi*, 法師) in the phrase "praising that Dharma-teacher" — why should it be limited to the Dharma-teacher who makes offerings?
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**Question:** The sūtra text clarifies the ten kinds of Dharma-teacher practices (*jishu hōshi-gyō*, 十種法師行): "If there is one who listens to and learns such a sūtra (乃至, *naiši*, and so on), how much more so (those who) copy it, receive and uphold it, read and recite it, and expound it for others (etc.)." If so, regarding the fact that (the sūtra) first takes up the merit of listening and learning (*chōmon*, 聴聞): how does the commentary master interpret this?
**It is advanced:** The commentary states: "At the outset, the inferior is cited to give measure to the superior (etc.)."
Regarding this: based on the interpretation of Zīzhōu (Huizhao), and having read through the sūtra text from beginning to end, (one finds that) the opening phrase "if there is one who listens to and hears such a sūtra" is followed by a list of many practices such as receiving and upholding. Examining the structure of the text from beginning to end, it appears that (the text) uses the single practice of listening and hearing as a basis for comparison with the many practices of receiving-and-upholding and so forth. How, then, can one say that the inferior practice of listening and learning is being used to give measure to the superior benefits of receiving-and-upholding and so forth? Furthermore, in the *Miaofa* (Wonderful Dharma [Lotus]) Sūtra, it is stated that by relying on the five kinds of Dharma-teacher practices, one obtains the merit of the purification of the six faculties — the merit obtained through the ear faculty is twelve hundred (units), and the merit obtained through the body faculty is eight hundred (units) (etc.). If we take this as our standard for reflection, then in comparison with the practice of copying (the sūtra), the practice of listening and learning should be said to be superior. In that case, the commentary master's interpretation is unclear. How (should this be understood)?
**Personal view:** Among the ten kinds of Dharma-teacher practices, there should be relative superiority and inferiority among them. One first listens to and hears the Dharma-teaching, trusts in the superior virtue of the sacred teaching, and thereafter (engages in) practices such as copying. If one relies on this meaning, then (one might) say that listening and hearing is superior. The wonderful sūtra's teaching, based on this intent, (shows that) trusting in the superior virtue of the sacred teaching and thereafter carrying out practices such as copying accumulates great merit, and much time and many seasons accumulate. If the standpoint is this meaning, then listening and hearing should be said to be inferior. The teaching of the present sūtra has this (latter) intent. Hence (the commentary) speaks of a "comparison of more and less" (*tashō sōtai*, 多少相對), it seems.
### [Lower Section]
Someone says: "Citing the inferior to give measure to the superior" means calling the lesser "inferior" and the many "superior." That is, the single practice of listening and hearing is used to give measure to the many practices such as copying and so forth. Listening and hearing is one practice. Copying and so forth are many in number; therefore, the many are superior to the one and the one is inferior. (The point is that) listening and hearing as one practice is compared with copying as one practice — it is not (a comparison) all the way to the single practice of "practicing in accordance with the teaching" (*nyosetsu shugyō*, 如說修行), is it?
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**Question:** The sūtra text (states): "Crossing the vast and fearsome great ocean with no shore, one is liberated from the endless cycle of birth-and-death (*shōji*, 生死) and transmigration (*rinne*, 輪廻) (etc.)" [Interlinear note: Shiki and Kakugen compose the passage.] If so, in this "birth-and-death" (*shōji*), are karma (*gō*, 業) and afflictions (*bonnō*, 煩惱) both being discussed?
**It is advanced:** In the commentary, two interpretations are offered; limiting (the discussion) to the afflictions (*bonnō*, 煩惱) is the first interpretation.
Regarding this: in general, this entire passage explains the purport of severing the cause-and-effect of suffering (*ku*, 苦) and arising (*shū*, 集). That is, "the fearsome great ocean (passage)" (corresponds to) severing the truth of suffering (*ku-tai*, 苦諦), and the words "liberated from birth-and-death" (correspond to) severing the truth of arising (*shū-tai*, 集諦) — this is something Zīzhōu (Huizhao) himself definitively judged. The cause of karma (*gō-in*, 業因) is already the truth of arising (*shū-tai*). Should it not exclusively be subsumed therein? Furthermore, in explaining the title of the "Chapter on Eliminating Karmic Obstructions" (*Metsugōshō-hon*, 滅業障品), the reason the (chapter title) does not use the terms delusion (*waku*, 惑) or suffering (*ku*, 苦) is that karmic obstructions (*gōshō*, 業障) are superior compared to delusion and suffering, and therefore (the title) singles out (karmic obstructions) as the title (etc.). If so, in the passage "liberated from birth-and-death," even granting that one takes the superior karma and sets aside the inferior delusion, the meaning of exclusively taking the aspect of delusion (*wakuhin*, 惑品) and removing the cause of karma (*gō-in*, 業因) cannot exist. How (should this be understood)?
**Personal view:** Zīzhōu (Huizhao) offers two interpretations without deciding which is erroneous and which correct (*jashō*, 邪正). It is not known which is the correct interpretation — the one that takes both together (*gutori*, 俱取). However, if one is to establish the meaning of the first interpretation: the commentary interprets this matter (as follows): "Because of being bound by delusion (*waku*, 惑), one transmigrates through birth-and-death (*shōji*). Therefore, severing the truth of arising (*shū-tai*) is called liberation (*gedatsu*, 解脱). Karma (*gō*, 業) does not have the meaning of binding (*baku*, 縛), and is not the root of birth-and-death (*shōji*). Therefore one does not speak of karma (etc.)." The meaning of the text is clear. If one relies on the meaning of "obstructing the holy path (*shōdō*, 聖道)," then karma can be said to be superior.
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## Page Forty-Seven
### [Upper Section]
When there is an extremely grave unwholesome karma (*fuzen no gō*, 不善之業), one will necessarily be reborn in a difficult realm (*nansho*, 難處), and there is no opportunity to enter the holy path (*shōdō*, 聖道). Therefore karma should be said to be superior (in the sense of "obstructing the holy path") [Interlinear note: This is the intent of the commentary on the *Metsugōshō-hon* (Chapter on Eliminating Karmic Obstructions)]. Therefore, the analogical objection (*rei-nan*, 例難) from the *Metsugōshō-hon* cannot be brought (to bear here).
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**Question:** The sūtra text praises the merit of the Dharma-teacher (saying): "He is able to beat (*kakeru*, 繫) the supreme and greatest Dharma-drum (*hōku*, 法皷) (etc.)" [Interlinear note: Shiki and Zōben compose this.] If so, are the six kinds (of instruments) such as the Dharma-drum (*hōku*) and the Dharma-conch (*hōra*, 法螺) the Mahāyāna Wheel of Dharma (*daijō hōrin*, 大乘法輪)?
**(The question goes) both ways.** If (they are) the Mahāyāna Wheel of Dharma, then at the outset "turning the Wheel of Dharma" (*tenhōrin*, 転法輪) is mentioned, but the two kinds of Wheel of Dharma — the Illuminating (Wheel, *shōhōrin*, 照法輪) and the Sustaining (Wheel, *jihōrin*, 持法輪) — are not (explicitly) mentioned. (If so,) the six meanings would necessarily be defined as the Hīnayāna Wheel (*shōjō-rin*, 小乘輪). Based on this, in the commentary, interpreting the eight textual passages of the sūtra, (the commentary states:) "The first (passage) puts forth the substance of the Wheel of Dharma; the middle six clarify the meanings of the Wheel of Dharma (etc.)." Regarding the Wheel of Dharma that constitutes the (substance) in the first passage: the sūtra speaks of "the Wheel of Dharma of the twelve aspects (*jūni gyōsō*, 十二行相) of the Four Truths (*shitai*, 四諦)" — this appears to be the Hīnayāna Wheel of Dharma. If the substance is already the Hīnayāna Wheel of Dharma, how can the six meanings of the middle (passages) be the Mahāyāna Wheel of Dharma? On the other hand, if on this basis (the entire discussion) pertains to the Hīnayāna Wheel of Dharma, the present sūtra (*Suvarṇaprabhāsa*, *Konkōmyō-kyō*, 金光明経) exclusively clarifies the profound Dharma of Mahāyāna and especially sets forth the turning-of-dependence (*ten-e*, 転依) of the Buddha-fruit and praises the merit of the Dharma-teacher — how could it not be the Mahāyāna Wheel of Dharma? Based on this, the (Chinese) masters (*jindan no jinshi*, 震旦人師) of the Middle Kingdom (China) have clarified that the six passages on the Dharma-drum and so forth (demonstrate) the Mahāyāna Wheel of Dharma. How (should this be understood)?
**Personal view:** These six kinds should exclusively be (understood as) the Mahāyāna Wheel of Dharma. The reasoning is as given in one side of the objection (*ippen no ginan*, 一邊疑難). However, regarding the matter that "(the text) says 'turning the Wheel of Dharma' but does not put forth the Illuminating (Wheel) and the Sustaining (Wheel)": the designation "Wheel of Dharma" (*hōrin*, 法輪) extends to the teachings of the three periods (*sanji*, 三時); therefore (the text) says "turning the Wheel of Dharma," and this encompasses (*kanemite*, 兼明) the Illuminating and Sustaining (Wheels) as well. Next, regarding the argument that "the substance of the Wheel of Dharma consists of the Four Truths and twelve aspects, so it is the Hīnayāna Wheel of Dharma": the contemplation of the Four Truths (*shitai*, 四諦) is also practiced by bodhisattvas — they contemplate this as well, and contemplating (*en*) it by way of dissolving its conditioned nature (*e-en*, 壊縁) is this very contemplation.
### [Lower Section]
Therefore, even though it is the contemplation of the twelve aspects (*jūni gyōsō*), it extends to the bodhisattva's Wheel of Dharma. How much more so when the sūtra text describes "the profoundly deep Wheel of Dharma of the twelve wondrous practices (*jūni myōgyō*, 十二妙行) praised by all the Buddhas": even though the twelve practices (formally constitute) the Hīnayāna Wheel of Dharma, (the sūtra) calls it the "profoundly deep Wheel of Dharma" (*jinshin hōrin*, 甚深法輪), and therefore it should exclusively (be understood as) the Mahāyāna Wheel of Dharma. If that profoundly deep Wheel of Dharma has as its substance the Mahāyāna Wheel of Dharma, then (the understanding that) the six kinds of Wheel of Dharma meanings (constitute) the Mahāyāna Wheel of Dharma has reason and is without contradiction.
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**Question:** The sūtra text (states): "The Buddha's virtue is boundless, like the great ocean (etc.)." If so, what virtue is being praised?
**It is advanced:** (The commentary) in the middle praises the virtue of *samādhi* and wisdom (*jōe-toku*, 定惠德) (etc.).
Regarding this: based on what is interpreted, and examining the sūtra text from beginning to end, (one finds): "The Buddha's virtue is boundless, like the great ocean; limitless wondrous treasures are accumulated within it; the water of the virtue of wisdom (*chie no tokusui*, 智惠德水) constantly and perpetually fills (it); hundreds of thousands of superior *samādhis* (*shōjō*, 勝定) all fill it completely (etc.)." From this it is known that the upper two phrases praise other (i.e., additional, non-samādhi-and-wisdom) virtues. If so, if this present passage (as a whole) praises the virtue of *samādhi* and wisdom, would the sūtra text be redundant (*hanjū*, 繁重)? Based on this, the Korean (Silla, 新羅) master Hūng (*Kō Hōshi*, 興法師) has judged that (the passage) praises the precepts (*kai*, 戒). This interpretation accords with the sūtra text. How (should this be understood)?
**Personal view:** In the commentary's interpretation of the passage "the Buddha's virtue is boundless like the great ocean, etc.," (the commentary states:) "this is the general phrase (*sōku*, 總句) (etc.)." From knowing that "the water of the virtue of wisdom constantly and perpetually fills (it), etc." is the specific (phrase, *bekku*, 別句), the general and the specific are already distinct. How can (the passage) be redundant? However, regarding "limitless wondrous treasures are accumulated within it": the commentary judges "the ten powers (*jūriki*, 十力), the fearlessnesses (*mui*, 無畏), and so forth to be wondrous treasures of the Dharma (*myōhō-hō*, 妙法寶)." The merits of the precepts and so forth are also combined in the praise. Next, "the water of the virtue of wisdom (*chie no tokusui*)": this (continues) the intent above of using the great ocean as a simile, revealing that the functioning of *samādhi* and wisdom is without limit (etc.). This present passage (works like) clouds containing water — wisdom contains the water of the manifold virtues (*shū-toku-sui*, 衆德水); therefore it is called "the water of the virtue of wisdom." Next, *samādhi* exists by depending on wisdom (*chi*, 智). Therefore, *samādhi* too is further (*naoho*, 尚) likened to water, and (the text) states: "hundreds of thousands of superior *samādhis* all fill it completely." If so, the wonderful interpretation of Zīzhōu (Huizhao) accords with the sūtra...