法華經義記 1.110

1.110

「是時天雨」，此下是第三明天雨四花以為瑞相。「曼陀羅花」者，譯為小白團花。「摩訶曼陀羅花」者，譯為大白團花。「曼殊沙花」者，譯為小赤團花。「摩訶曼殊沙花」者，譯為大赤團花也。雖有四花，今合為兩雙，前二白團花譬在家二眾，後二赤團花譬出家二眾。雖兩雙有共一意。何者？欲明四眾昔來所行，皆是花而未果也。又散佛及大眾者，明眾生萬善花必得佛果，是故花散佛及大眾也。表必說《法華》，即是相也；有密報之功，即是瑞也。

"At that time the heavens rained down" and so forth below is the third [sign], clarifying the raining down of the four kinds of flowers from the heavens as an auspicious sign. "Māndārava flowers" translates as small white round flowers. "Mahāmāndārava flowers" translates as large white round flowers. "Mañjūṣaka flowers" translates as small red round flowers. "Mahāmañjūṣaka flowers" translates as large red round flowers. Although there are four flowers, they are now combined into two pairs: the first two white round flowers symbolize the two assemblies of laypeople, and the latter two red round flowers symbolize the two assemblies of renunciants. Although they are two pairs, they share one meaning. What is it? It intends to clarify that what the four assemblies practiced previously was all flowers but not yet the fruit. Furthermore, showering them upon the Buddha and the great assembly clarifies that the flower of sentient beings' myriad goods will surely attain the Buddha-fruit; therefore, the flowers were showered upon the Buddha and the great assembly. Signifying that he must expound the Lotus Sūtra is the sign; possessing the function of a secret intimation is the portent.