法華經義記 7.3

7.3

此品中為四人授當果之記，仍為品目也。若談受記則義在菩薩，若語授記則義關如來，是則受是取義，授是與義也。但記有二種，一者能記，二者所記。能記即是如來言教正是記體，所記即是菩薩未來佛果及國土名號，亦名為記，此是從他得名也。但譬說開三顯一化中根人中本有四品，即為四段，今此下一品是第四段為中根人授記。前又解言：四段中例開為兩，今就此授記中有二者，第一正為此四大弟子授記，第二品末一偈即復許為下根之徒說同歸之義也。

In this chapter, the prophecy of future fruition is conferred upon four persons; this is accordingly taken as the chapter title. If speaking of receiving prophecy, the meaning lies with the bodhisattva; if speaking of conferring prophecy, the meaning pertains to the Tathāgata. Thus, 'receiving' has the sense of taking, and 'conferring' has the sense of giving. However, there are two kinds of prophecy: first, that which can prophesy; second, that which is prophesied. That which can prophesy is the Tathāgata's spoken teaching, which is the very essence of prophecy. That which is prophesied is the bodhisattva's future buddhahood fruition, as well as the names of the land and title, which are also called prophecy; this is named from the other. However, within the parabolic exposition that opens the three and reveals the One to transform persons of medium capacity, there were originally four chapters, which constitute four sections; now, this subsequent chapter is the fourth section, conferring prophecy upon persons of medium capacity. Previously, it was also explained: within the four sections, they are routinely divided into two; now, within this conferral of prophecy there are two parts: first, directly conferring prophecy upon these four great disciples; second, the single verse at the end of the chapter further promises to expound the meaning of convergent return for those of lower capacity.