妙法蓮華經玄義 8.109

8.109

○第四明入實相門者，夫實相幽微，其理淵奧，如登絕壑，必假飛梯，欲契真源，要因教行，故以教行為門。下文云：「以佛教門出三界苦。」「佛子行道已，來世得作佛。」門名能通，此之謂也。略為四意：一、略示門相。二、示入門觀。三、示麁妙。四、示開顯。

Section four: clarifying the gates for entering the real mark. The real mark is faint and subtle, and its principle is deep and profound; just as scaling a sheer cliff requires a suspended ladder, so if one wishes to tally with the true source, one must rely on teaching and practice. Therefore, teaching and practice are taken as the gates. A later passage says: 'Through the gate of the Buddha's teaching, they escape the suffering of the three realms'; and 'When the Buddha's sons have walked the path, in a future life they will become buddhas.' 'Gate' means that which can provide access; this is what it means. It is briefly divided into four topics: first, briefly showing the characteristics of the gates; second, showing the contemplation for entering the gates; third, showing the crude and the wonderful; fourth, showing the opening and revealing.