妙法蓮華經玄義 6.187

6.187

說法益義，今當說，略為七益：一、二十五有果報益，亦名地上清涼益。二、二十五有因華開敷益，亦名小草益。三、真諦三昧析法益，亦名中草益。四、俗諦三昧五通益，亦名上草益。五、真諦三昧體法益，亦名小樹益。六、俗諦三昧六通益，亦名大樹益。七、中道王三昧益，亦名最實事益。若二十五有因果益，堪為業生眷屬。若真諦三昧體析益，堪為願生眷屬。若俗諦三昧五通六通益，堪為神通眷屬。若中道王三昧益，堪為應生眷屬。私謂應有四雙、八益，直是開前、合後，故言七益。若開後合前，亦是七益；前後俱開，即是八益，所謂中道次第益，中道不次第益。若前後俱合，則是六益（云云）。

The meaning of the benefit of preaching the Dharma will now be explained, briefly as seven benefits: First, the benefit of the retribution of the twenty-five states of existence, also named the benefit of cooling on the ground. Second, the benefit of the blooming of the causal flower of the twenty-five states of existence, also named the benefit of the small grass. Third, the benefit of analyzing phenomena through the samādhi of the real truth, also named the benefit of the medium grass. Fourth, the benefit of the five penetrations through the samādhi of the conventional truth, also named the benefit of the superior grass. Fifth, the benefit of embodying phenomena through the samādhi of the real truth, also named the benefit of the small tree. Sixth, the benefit of the six penetrations through the samādhi of the conventional truth, also named the benefit of the large tree. Seventh, the benefit of the king of samādhis of the Middle Way, also named the benefit of the most real actuality. If it is the benefit of the causes and effects of the twenty-five states of existence, one can become a retinue born of karma. If it is the benefit of embodying and analyzing through the samādhi of the real truth, one can become a retinue born of vow. If it is the benefit of the five penetrations and six penetrations through the samādhi of the conventional truth, one can become a retinue born of spiritual penetrations. If it is the benefit of the king of samādhis of the Middle Way, one can become a retinue born of response. Personally, I maintain there should be four pairs and eight benefits; it is simply that opening the former and combining the latter resulted in speaking of seven benefits. If one opens the latter and combines the former, it is also seven benefits. If one opens both the former and the latter, there are eight benefits, namely, the gradual Middle Way benefit and the non-gradual Middle Way benefit. If one combines both the former and the latter, there are six benefits (and so on).