法華文句記 8.161

8.161

「非胎卵濕化之化生」者，不同界內四生中之化生，如諸天化生仍在父膝等生，況同四趣中耶？今此忽然而有，如〈藥王〉中云：「於淨德王家忽然化生」。「亦稱濕卵」等者，但以蓮華在濕未剖如濕如卵，含在華內義之如胎。《大寶積》云：「菩薩成就八法，於諸佛前蓮華化生：一者乃至失命不說他過，二者化人令歸三寶，三者安置一切於菩提心，四者梵行不染，五者造佛形像安華座上，六者能除眾生憂惱，七者於貢高人常自謙下，八者不惱他人。」此一經雖爾，以諸經論隨宜說耳。假使一切經論所列生蓮華緣，並為今文聞品功德之所超過，故華生雖同本緣各別。「云云」者，亦可釋妨，非今文意。

Regarding "not the apparitional birth among the births from womb, egg, moisture, or transformation": this is not the same as apparitional birth among the four modes of birth within the realm [of saṃsāra], such as the apparitional birth of devas still taking place upon the father's knee and the like, how much less could it be identical to those in the four evil destinies? Here, she suddenly comes into being, as stated in the 'Medicine King' chapter: 'Suddenly born by apparition in the house of King Pure Virtue.' Regarding "also called moisture-egg" and so forth: it is only because the lotus flower remains in moisture and has not yet unfolded, like moisture or an egg, held within the blossom, which is understood as analogous to a womb. The Mahāratnakūṭa states: 'A bodhisattva who accomplishes eight dharmas will be born by apparition upon a lotus before the buddhas: first, even at the cost of life, not speaking of others' faults; second, transforming people to lead them to take refuge in the Three Jewels; third, establishing all in the bodhicitta; fourth, undefiled brahmacarya; fifth, making images of the Buddha and placing them upon flower seats; sixth, able to eliminate the grief and distress of sentient beings; seventh, always remaining humble before arrogant persons; eighth, not troubling others.' Although this one sūtra says this, it is merely an expedient exposition adapted to circumstances in the various sūtras and treatises. Even if we consider the conditions for birth in a lotus listed across all sūtras and treatises, they are all surpassed by the merit of hearing the chapter in the present text; therefore, although birth from a flower is the same, the underlying conditions are distinct. The expression 'and so forth' can also resolve difficulties, but that is not the intent of the present text.