法華玄論 1.94

1.94

答：此經始末多有佛性之文。〈方便品〉云「開佛知見，既得清淨」即是一文。佛知見者，謂佛性之異名。眾生本有知見，為煩惱覆，故不清淨。法華教起，為開眾生有佛知見，此即是佛性義。若無佛性者，教何所開耶？

Answer: From beginning to end, this sūtra contains many passages on the buddha-nature. The 'Skillful Means Chapter' says: 'To open the vision and knowledge of the buddhas, having attained purity'—this is one such text. The 'vision and knowledge of the buddhas' is an alternate name for the buddha-nature. Sentient beings originally possess this vision and knowledge, but it is covered by defilements and so is not pure. The teaching of the Lotus arose to open up sentient beings' possession of the vision and knowledge of the buddhas; this is precisely the meaning of the buddha-nature. If there were no buddha-nature, what would the teaching open up?