法華義疏 1.61

1.61

總釋之中略為六門：一、序原由門。三世諸佛說十二部經皆有六事，但要待侍者發問然後命使安之。如《集法藏經》云「侍者阿難凡發四問：一問以誰為師，二問依何行道，三問云何與惡人共住，四問佛經初安何等語。如來答云：戒能訓誨可以為師，四念處破倒依此行道，梵法默然伏彼惡人，一切經初皆標六事。」

Within the overall explanation, it is briefly divided into six sections: First, the section on the origins of the preface. When the Buddhas of the three periods of time teach the twelve divisions of scriptures, they all have six matters; but it had to await the attendant raising questions, after which [the Buddha] commanded that they be set down. As the Scripture on the Compilation of the Dharma Pitaka states: "The attendant Ānanda raised four questions in all: First, he asked who should be taken as teacher; second, he asked upon what one should rely to practice the path; third, he asked how one should dwell together with evil persons; fourth, he asked what words should be placed at the beginning of the Buddha's scriptures. The Tathāgata replied: 'Precepts can instruct and admonish, and may be taken as the teacher; the four applications of mindfulness shatter delusions, and relying on these one practices the path; the practice of Brahmā-punishment by remaining silent subdues those evil persons; at the head of all scriptures, six matters should be marked.'"