法華經義記 1.10

1.10

Regarding 'sūtra': this is the general name for the Buddha's teachings and the particular designation for the words of the sage. Now, the meaning of 'sūtra' is fundamentally glossed as 'constant' and glossed as 'standard'. 'Constant' is a designation for being indestructible; 'standard' is a term for serving as a model. Intending to show that the teaching it conveys cannot be altered, that neither earlier sages nor later sages can change its perpetual measure, and that heavenly demons and non-Buddhists cannot destroy this dharma, causing it to never harm the principle, it is therefore termed 'constant'. Those who follow it leave evil behind and practice good, transcend the mundane and ascend to the sacred; therefore it is termed 'standard'. Now, within the sūtra, it directly clarifies the cause and distinguishes the result, and both dharmas of cause and effect are analogized to the lotus flower; here, by raising the principle that is clarified to designate this teaching, it is called the *Lotus Sūtra of the Sublime Dharma* (*Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra*).