[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [法華經義記](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1715) › 1.20 # 法華經義記 1.20 法華經義記 1.20 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [1.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1715.1.20) 今一家所習，言經無大小例為三段。三段者：第一詺為序也，第二稱為正說，第三呼曰流通。然今三重開科段，第一開作三段自有三階，初釋名義序，以緣由為義，為正說作詮序也。正說者，正明一經大意蘊在其中，顯同歸之因、明長壽之報也。流是行為義，借譬為名。通是無壅塞為義也。三段名義如此。三段文句起盡處者，初〈序品〉一品則是序段，第二從〈方便品〉以下，訖〈分別功德品〉中彌勒說偈頌佛長行以來，凡有十四品半經，是經之正說，因果兩法顯此文中也。第三流通者，〈分別功德品〉中從彌勒說偈後長行初，言佛告彌勒菩薩，其有眾生聞佛壽命長遠如是，乃至能生一念信解，當知以為深信解相以下盡經，凡有十一品半經，皆是流通付囑。 > Now, according to what our school practices, it is said that sūtras, without exception whether great or small, are divided into three sections. As for these three sections: the first is called the preface, the second is termed the main exposition, and the third is designated the dissemination. Now, in this threefold scheme of dividing sections, the first division into three sections itself comprises three stages: first, explaining the meaning of the terms. 'Preface' (xù) takes the underlying circumstances (yuányóu) as its meaning, serving as an prefatory formulation (quánxù) for the main exposition. As for the 'main exposition' (zhèngshuō), it directly clarifies the overarching meaning of an entire sūtra contained therein, revealing the cause of identical return and explaining the retribution of prolonged life. 'Flowing' (liú) takes moving forward as its meaning, adopting a metaphor as its name. 'Transmitting' (tōng) takes the absence of obstruction as its meaning. Such are the names and meanings of the three sections. As for where the text and sentences of the three sections begin and end: the first chapter, the 'Introductory Chapter', constitutes the preface section. Second, from the 'Skillful Means Chapter' onwards, down through the prose passage where Maitreya speaks verses praising the Buddha in the 'Discrimination of Merits Chapter', there are fourteen and a half chapters in all; this is the main exposition of the sūtra, wherein the two dharmas of cause and effect are manifested in this text. Third, as for the dissemination: from the beginning of the prose passage following Maitreya's verses in the 'Discrimination of Merits Chapter', which states: 'The Buddha addressed Bodhisattva Maitreya: "If there are sentient beings who hear that the Buddha's life span is so long and far-reaching, and can even generate a single thought of faith and understanding, you should know that this is the mark of deep faith and understanding,"' down to the end of the sūtra, there are eleven and a half chapters in all, all of which constitute the dissemination and entrustment. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 1.19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1715.1.19) - [Next: 1.21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1715.1.21) - [Up: 1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1715.1) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1715~en-mt.1.20) — English, machine translation --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1715.1.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.1715.1.20) · Pramāṇa