妙法蓮華經玄義 1.62

1.62

In the "Introductory Chapter", according to the sequence of practice: first, from the sūtra scroll or a spiritual friend, one hears and sees something, which is hearing the name. Hearing it, one infers the principle and the substance is manifested; to manifest the substance requires practice, and practice is cause and fruit, which is the central purport. Practice by itself dispels delusion, and also benefits sentient beings, which is the function. Distinguishing sameness and difference is the characteristics of the teaching. 'Opening, displaying, awakening, and entering' also accord with the sequence of practice: phenomena originally have neither opening nor closing, but now we call it the opening of the gate of expedient means, which is hearing the name; displaying the real mark is the substance; from one's own delusion attaining awakening is awakening to the cause; by means of the cause awakening to the fruit is the central purport; being awakened and thus entering deeply, and also causing others to enter, is the function; distinguishing sameness and difference is the teaching. The present five meanings follow the sequence of supporting practice in the "Introductory Chapter".