法華玄論 5.45

5.45

答：法說為譬說之本，故在第一；譬還借事以喻前法，故在第二；宿世因緣明法譬始終，故在第三。

Answer: The doctrinal preaching is the basis of the parabolic preaching, so it is first; the parable returns to borrowing phenomena to illustrate the preceding doctrine, so it is second; the causes and conditions in past lives clarify the beginning and end of doctrine and parable, so it is third.