英語訳
[Right Upper Section]
He doesn't violate [precepts]. "Definitely upholding natural transgressions, etc." means that the essence itself is transgression. Like killing and stealing, these are called natural transgressions. Even before Buddha prohibited them, performing them would be sinful. Like jumping around, swinging arms, eating at improper times, etc. - these are not transgressions by nature. The Tathāgata prohibited them. If there are violations, they violate Buddha's prohibitions. Violating prohibitions incurs sin. Therefore they're called regulatory transgressions. "Having violations" means sometimes having violations. That is, bodhisattva bhikṣus uphold all regulatory precepts, but when it's for the cause of great benefit, there are things they violate. Also, these words "having violations" refer to having differences in transgressive matters, calling this violation. It doesn't mean violating precepts - in accordance with great benefit, it originally doesn't violate precepts, doesn't break precepts.
A private record states: ○ Among the three explanations, the first explanation is superior. Even if merely a bhikṣu, for the sake of great Dharma, one doesn't adhere to minor details. Even committing both natural and regulatory transgressions without fearing retribution - how much more, what difficulty is there in committing regulatory transgressions?
Question: Did Bodhisattva Never Disparaging only practice prostration, or should he also have the meaning of reciting and studying sutras?
The Profound Praise states: Because he combined both practices. Regarding this, "always" (常) means constant, "never disparaging" (不軽) is an appellation of reverence. According to the literal meaning, there seem to be no other practices besides prostration. Therefore, looking at the sutra text: "Yet this bhikṣu didn't exclusively recite and study sutras, but only practiced prostration." "Only" means exclusively. Wouldn't this distinguish from other practices? Additionally, the Correct Dharma Blossom Sutra states: "refused to recite and study."
Reconciling explanation: The great being Never Disparaging was a four good roots bodhisattva who had completed one asaṃkhyeya [eon]. In the previous Buddha's remaining Dharma, he cultivated peaceful and joyful practices. How could he be limited to just one matter of prostration and not cultivate all other various practices? Based on this,
[Right Lower Section]
in empty space, he heard twenty thousand myriads of billions of verses of the Lotus Sutra and was able to receive and uphold them all. If he hadn't previously recited and studied sutras, how could he momentarily hear and retain so many verses? Based on this, the Profound Praise states: "If Never Disparaging hadn't first studied by reading... how could he, at the time of death, hear and immediately retain? Without first cultivating the cause, how could the fruit arise?" However, regarding the text "didn't exclusively recite and study sutras, only practiced prostration," this is actually evidence of combined practice. Since it says "didn't exclusively recite and study," it reveals that it's not that there was no recitation and study. Otherwise, why place the word "exclusively"? Based on this, the Profound Praise refutes other masters' interpretation of "only prostration," saying: "If so, it should say 'didn't recite and study sutras.' Why use the word 'exclusively'? Therefore know: not exclusively reciting and studying, also not only practicing prostration. This is the meaning here." The character "not" extends over both following phrases, prohibiting both "exclusively reciting/studying" and "only prostrating." If so, the explanation "combining both practices" skillfully grasps the sutra's intent. Next, the Correct Dharma Blossom text refers to those being taught not accepting, not willing to recite and study, the four assemblies not following the teaching - it's not saying he didn't engage in self-practice.
Now I say: Though the sutra's meaning actually uses the word "exclusively" to reveal combined practice, regarding this present text, the upper and lower phrases should each be read separately. It's not using one "not" character to extend over two places. Bodhisattva Never Disparaging made prostration his fundamental practice and didn't exclusively recite and study sutras. The Profound Praise's "also not only practicing prostration" is ultimately exploring the true meaning at that time. Using the word "exclusively" to shadow-reveal this. Therefore saying so. What the text clearly explains doesn't lack the meaning of "only." But perhaps people don't accept this meaning?
The Profound Praise states: Since not exclusively reciting and studying, also not exclusively prostrating, combining both practices. ○ However, one explanation says this bhikṣu also didn't practice recitation and study, only prostration. If so, it should say "didn't recite and study sutras."
[Left Upper Section]
Why use the word "exclusively"? Therefore know: not exclusively reciting and studying, also not only practicing prostration. This is the meaning here.
The sutra states: When this bhikṣu was about to die, in empty space, he fully heard the twenty thousand myriads of billions of verses of the Lotus Sutra previously expounded by Buddha Awesome Sound King, and was able to receive and uphold them all. He immediately attained eye faculty purity as mentioned above, and ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind faculty purity. Having attained this six faculty purity, his lifespan was further increased by two hundred myriads of billions of nayutas of years, and he extensively expounded this Lotus Sutra for people.
The Profound Praise states: From the sutra's "this bhikṣu" to "this Lotus Sutra." Commentary says: The sixth excellent fruit's consequent birth has three [aspects]. First, hearing Dharma and being able to retain; second, six faculties' purity; third, increased lifespan and Dharma exposition. If Never Disparaging hadn't first studied by reading the Lotus Sutra during the semblance Dharma period, how could he, at death's approach, hear and immediately retain? Without first cultivating the cause, how could the fruit arise? The previous prostrations were at the forty mind stages. Hearing Dharma and faculty purification were at the four good roots stage. Because lifespan increased, he attained great good tranquility, gradually becoming principle contemplation, observing true principle.
A private record states: Question: Because there's the word "exclusively," it increasingly reveals one practice. Moreover, there's the word "only" - why combine two practices? Answer: "Exclusively" means purely. Not purely reading sutras alone. "Only" means solely. Not solely practicing prostration. Know that "not exclusively" definitely combines two practices. The one character "not" extends in meaning to upper and lower, in extended reading style. Question: Examining the sutra text, from initially prostrating... to finally attaining six faculty purity. In between, it doesn't explain the bodhisattva reciting and studying sutras. Therefore some master's explanation accords with the sutra text. What Cien sees - that principle is not yet clear. Answer: Through the ten Dharma practices one attains six faculty purity. Without completing recitation and study etc., how could one attain six faculty purity? Knowing the cause through the fruit, definitely combining two practices. Question: If so, the Peaceful and Joyful Practices chapter states: "When there are difficult questions, don't answer with Hīnayāna Dharma, but explain only with Mahāyāna." This text only dislikes the small and favors the great. Using this to consider that case, one should say "combining" - the textual features are the same. Answer: To resolve this difficulty, three explanations should be made. First: one should allow both cases to be the same below. The verse states: "If there are difficult questions, answer according to meaning." Using this as standard, it's not only Mahāyāna. If so, why say "according to meaning"? Answer: Second: those cases are not uniform. This has no word "exclusively." Cien challenges saying: "If so, it should say 'not reciting and studying sutras.' Why use the word 'exclusively'?" Third: this is not uniform. That chapter's sutra states: "skillfully cultivating ○ all-knowledge." The Profound Praise explains: "This skillful cultivation has three [aspects]. First, explaining in accord with [their] intention (sutra says 'not opposing their intention'). Second, answering with Mahāyāna (commentary says 'when there are difficult questions, explain'). Third, enabling attainment of all-knowledge (sutra says 'attain all-knowledge')." Therefore know that text doesn't accord with Hīnayāna but answers with Mahāyāna. How can the meaning of the two chapters be made uniform?
[Left Lower Section]
Question: The sutra text states "further increased lifespan by two hundred myriads of billions of nayutas of years." What does this explain?
Answer: Bodhisattva Never Disparaging heard what was announced in empty space - the twenty thousand hundreds of myriads of billions of verses of the Lotus Sutra previously expounded by Buddha Awesome Sound King - and increased his lifespan by two hundred myriads of billions of nayutas of years. Regarding this: the lifespan duration of defiled land dwelling eons all have limits. Taking eighty thousand years as the ultimate extreme. Even with Dharma power, why increase such vast lifespan? If experiencing so many nayutas of years, reaching buddhless worlds, would one encounter difficulties like the three disasters?