英語訳
【Upper Right Section】
The sutra says the light is not withdrawn. Regarding this, since the matter of explaining the sutra has concluded and it has already reached the circulation [section], why is the light not collected? Moreover, since the tongue characteristic has already been withdrawn, why is it not so with the emitted light? The Nirvana Sutra, Mahāprajñāpāramitā Sutra, and others all say the light is withdrawn. How does this sutra differ from those?
Response: Although the Xuanzan does not explain the reason, the Shōshaku quotes "an interpretation" saying: "To indicate that the Dharma teaching has concluded, therefore the tongue characteristic is withdrawn. Desiring to make the ten directions mutually penetrating so beings can see each other, therefore the light is not collected." This "interpretation" is probably Jiaxiang's commentary. Master Xing's general meaning is the same. Adding another reason: "Because the transmission of Dharma is not yet complete, therefore the light is not withdrawn."
An ancient worthy explained this meaning: "The Dharma not being completed refers to the periods of True, Semblance, and Final Dharma. Since that Dharma is not yet completed, the light is not withdrawn. The Nirvana Sutra indicates that the work is already accomplished. Because one lifetime [of teaching] is complete."
The Shōshaku states: Question: "Why withdraw the tongue but not collect the light?" Answer: "An interpretation says: to indicate the completion of Dharma teaching, therefore the tongue characteristic is withdrawn. Desiring to make the ten directions mutually penetrating so beings can see each other, therefore the light is not collected."
The Suishō quotes Jiaxiang's interpretation, which is the same as the Shōshaku.
Question: When the coughing characteristic is manifested during this chapter, what is the reason? The Xuanzan quotes the Lotus Treatise: "To make verses heard." Regarding this, coughing is not the sound of Dharma teaching. Why say it makes verses heard? Even if it were Dharma teaching, why is it limited to verses and not prose? If coughing characteristics are manifested to discuss verses, although verses are spoken in chapters before and after, there is no coughing. Why now
【Lower Right Section】
distinguish this?
Response: The treatise text is profound, and doubts are difficult to remove. However, Master Jizang's commentary states: "Kumārajīva's sutra directly clarifies coughing. This treatise's meaning is that coughing produces sound, and sound explains verses." Considering this master's intention, in the sutra text that Vasubandhu examined, it was probably seen that verses were immediately explained within the coughing sounds. Otherwise, why would he say regarding Kumārajīva's translation that directly clarifies coughing, that the treatise's meaning is that coughing produces sound to explain verses? Generally, the Tathāgata's divine power is inconceivable. Even within light and such, there are still resonances and Dharma teachings. Moreover, coughing is sound. Why would that sound not explain verses? If so, the verses mentioned in the treatise are not necessarily the explained verses. Even if the verse text is the same, if another version says "with coughing sound, explains those verses," wouldn't that avoid doubts and difficulties?
The Lotus Treatise states: "Second, coughing sounds are for explaining verses to make them heard. After making the sounds heard, [beings] practice as they truly are, without negligence."
The same commentary states: "Master Zang says: Kumārajīva's sutra directly clarifies coughing. This treatise's meaning is that coughing produces sound to explain verses, making the ten directions hear and practice without negligence."
The New Commentary states: "The commentary's 'explaining verses to make them heard' means immediately through coughing, alerting the assembly to listen to the explanation. This is for the entrustment verses in the following text."
Question: The sutra text says "the earth all shook with six kinds of movement." In that case, does the earth shaking apply only to this realm?
【Upper Left Section】
The Xuanzan states: "To alert and encourage those in the ten directions who have not yet aroused the [bodhicitta] mind, making them arouse the mind." Regarding this, Śākyamuni's entrustment auspicious signs should only be limited to this land. Why do they extend far to the ten directions? Because one great thousand-world system constitutes the transformative realm of one Buddha land. Moreover, in the Introductory Chapter it says "this world shook with six kinds of movement." How does this extend to the ten directions?
Response: The sutra states: "At one time, coughing and snapping fingers together, these two sounds pervaded throughout the Buddha worlds of the ten directions, and the earth all shook with six kinds of movement." Since it belongs to the above text and says "the earth all shook," we know it means the same as the two sounds pervading throughout the worlds of the ten directions. The Great Master's commentary follows the sutra's present text. Even if we investigate the reason, we should not doubt the matter. The earth-shaking text in the Introductory Chapter says "this world" and doesn't resemble the present text. It cannot serve as an example. Moreover, the Xuanzan in that place provides two interpretations: extending to other lands and not extending to other lands. Why rely exclusively on one interpretation to raise exemplary difficulties? Furthermore, the matter of limiting it to one Buddha world is not necessarily so. Moreover, the emitted light universally illuminates the ten directions, and the sounds also do not appear in just one realm. Why raise this doubt regarding earth shaking?
The sutra states: "The sounds of all Buddhas' coughing and finger-snapping were heard throughout the countries of the ten directions, and the earth all moved with six kinds of movement."
The Xuanzan states: "Earth movement is to alert and encourage those in the ten directions who have not yet aroused the mind, making them arouse the mind."
The same [commentary] states: "The sutra says 'universally the Buddha worlds shook with six kinds of movement.' Commentary: What Śākyamuni rules over, the three thousand great thousand[-world system], is called the 'Buddha world.' Because all of this universally moves, it says 'universally all Buddha worlds move.' This is where the movement occurs.
【Lower Left Section】
In the verses below, it says 'this world shook with six kinds of movement,' therefore it only moves Śākyamuni's realm, not the realms of the ten directions. Or this universal movement is the same as the light illumination. If not, why would the emitted light be so broad while the shaking realm is so narrow? Below, it specifically indicates the near to show the transformation of this realm, abandoning the provisional and approaching the real. If following the first interpretation, only this realm moves. Because it clarifies abandoning the provisional and approaching the real, therefore it vibrates."
Question: Eight kinds of divine powers are manifested in this chapter. In that case, the Lotus Treatise only explains the meanings of tongue characteristics and coughing, and does not comment on the other five kinds. What is the reason? The Xuanzan states: "The other five exist in other sutras. Because they are not superior, they are not commented upon." Regarding this, emitted light and earth shaking are outstanding divine powers. Covering and transforming lands are inconceivable transformative functions. How do the three of tongue characteristics, coughing, etc., generally surpass the other five? Furthermore, divine powers like finger-snapping and tongue characteristics are explained in other sutras—the Suvarṇaprabhāsa Sutra, Sukhāvatīvyūha Sutra, etc. How can it be said that other sutras lack them?
Response: The present "outstanding" means the meaning of rare and extraordinary. The auspicious signs of emitted light, earth shaking, etc., exist in most sutras. Finger-snapping and coughing are extremely rare. Tongue characteristics are the Buddha's supporting faculties. The matter of reaching high to the Brahma world is astounding compared to others. What the Xuanzan describes is quite reasonable. It's not that they are completely absent from other sutras.
The Xuanzan states: "Above, eight different kinds of divine powers are indicated. One treatise only explains three: the meanings of extending the tongue, finger-snapping, and coughing. Five exist in other sutras. Because they are not superior, they are not commented upon. The three mostly do not exist in other sutras. Commentary is made based on what is superior.