法華經義記 1.35

1.35

「我聞」者，此是通序中第二，表明阿難述而不作，正言如是一部《法華經》我從佛邊聞，非我自造。所以爾者，但佛在世時開教度人明理化物，尚有性執取斜見不信受者，況如來我滅後人情澆偽率易可化？然阿難實處亦可已成種覺，借其學位無謝法王，今據迹談事，是三乘之中，小乘學人等是小乘，小乘之中自有四果，阿難是初果須陀洹位，忽登法座有所宣說，撫臆論心未易可信，但不達之徒多以小廢道，如來既懸見末代有必然之事，是故誡勅阿難出經之時先白四眾言如是，一部經我從佛邊聞非自造，于時四眾既意重如來心尊至極，聞傳佛語信受無疑，是故《維摩經》言「諸有所作亦不唐捐」，此之謂也。師習不同意致如此也。

Regarding "have I heard": this is the second in the general preface, showing that Ānanda transmits and does not fabricate, directly stating that such a Lotus Sūtra as this, I heard from the Buddha's side and did not compose myself. Why is this so? Even when the Buddha was in the world, inaugurating the teaching to deliver people and explaining the principle to transform beings, there were still those whose natures clung to perverse views and who did not faithfully accept it; how much less so after the extinction of myself, the Tathāgata, when human sentiments are frivolous and deceitful, could they be easily transformed? Although in his true status Ānanda might already have accomplished omniscient awakening, borrowing the rank of learner so as not to be inferior to the Dharma King, now speaking of matters based on traces: he is among the three vehicles, a learner of the Small Vehicle. Although belonging to the Small Vehicle, within the Small Vehicle there are naturally four fruits, and Ānanda is in the position of the first fruit, srotāpanna. If he suddenly ascended the Dharma seat and proclaimed something, speaking from his own chest and mind, he would not be easily believed. Those who do not understand mostly abandon the Way on account of the small. Since the Tathāgata foresaw that in later ages there would inevitably be such occurrences, he therefore admonished and commanded Ānanda that when bringing forth the scripture he should first announce to the fourfold assembly: "Thus, this scripture I heard from the Buddha's side and did not compose myself." At that time, since the fourfold assembly held the Tathāgata in high esteem and revered the ultimate in their hearts, upon hearing the transmission of the Buddha's words they faithfully accepted them without doubt. Therefore the Vimalakīrti Sūtra states, "Whatever is done is not in vain"; this is what it means. The traditions of masters differ, but the intent and direction are like this.