法華義疏 10.131

10.131

四門釋之：一、來意門；二、得失門；三、釋名門；四、開合。所以有此品來者，明身權身實有四章，今是第四、廣開身權身實斷疑生信也。然此品大明覺理囊括古今，文約義豐意深致遠，雖是一章之經乃通會釋迦始終一化意也。若能解其義趣，生無盡之慧、長無邊之福，亦滅無量重罪。昔有數人共乘船遭風，餘伴並溺死，唯一人憑物濁濟，夜夢云：「汝所以偏得脫者，昔曾聽《法華．壽量品》故也。」又下〈分別功德品〉云「說此壽量品時，十二種利益、八種瑞相」，餘經明得道未有如斯之盛，講者宣留意尋其旨歸也。

It is explained through four gates: first, the gate of the intention of its occurrence; second, the gate of benefits and shortcomings; third, the gate of explaining the name; fourth, opening and combining. As for why this chapter occurs: in explaining the provisional body and the real body there are four sections, and this is the fourth, extensively opening up the provisional body and the real body, severing doubts and generating faith. Moreover, this chapter grandly illuminates the principle of awakening, encompassing antiquity and the present; its text is concise yet its meaning rich, its intent profound and its reach far-reaching. Although it is a scripture of only a single section, it comprehensively unifies the intent of Śākyamuni's teaching throughout his entire career from beginning to end. If one can understand its purport, boundless wisdom will arise, limitless blessings will grow, and immeasurable heavy sins will also be extinguished. In the past, several people boarded a boat together and met with a storm; all the other companions drowned and died, and only one person relied on floating debris to reach safety across the waters. In a dream that night he was told: "The reason you alone were spared is that in the past you listened to the 'Lifespan Chapter' of the Lotus Sūtra." Furthermore, the "Distinction of Merits Chapter" below states: "When this Lifespan Chapter was expounded, there were twelve kinds of benefits and eight kinds of auspicious signs." In other sūtras, accounts of attaining the Way have never been as magnificent as this; lecturers should attentively investigate its fundamental import.