法華義疏 11.42

11.42

第一人取其往詣聽法，故得乘天宮等報，若就聽法邊明得報者福則無邊。此中三品人，若下品動足得乘象馬報，中品得乘七珍輿，上品乘天宮也。第二人但取分坐義邊故得三王之報，若就聽法邊福則無窮。第三人正取勸人聽《法華》義得四種報：一者、勸人聽經則是其人善友，故後還得值善友報，所以言「與陀羅尼菩薩共生一處」也。二者、勸人聽法前人受教須臾，聞法發生智慧，後還得智慧果報，是故經云「利根智慧」。三者、以口業勸人聽微妙法生他正信正解，故得離口醜陋得端正果報。四者、勸人聽經是人善友，世世常得見佛聞法信受教誨。「何況一心」下，第四人，其福最勝報不可說也。

The first person is taken in terms of going to listen to the Dharma, and therefore obtains the retribution of riding in heavenly palaces and the like; if explained from the perspective of hearing the Dharma, their retribution of merit is boundless. Here there are three grades of persons: if of the lower grade, the setting forth of their feet obtains the retribution of riding elephants and horses; if of the middle grade, they obtain riding seven-jeweled palanquins; if of the upper grade, they ride in heavenly palaces. The second person is taken solely in terms of sharing a seat, and therefore obtains the retribution of three kinds of kings; if considered from the perspective of hearing the Dharma, the merit is inexhaustible. The third person is taken specifically in terms of encouraging others to listen to the Lotus Sūtra, obtaining four kinds of retributions: first, encouraging someone to listen to the sūtra makes one a good friend (kalyāṇamitra) to that person, so later one again obtains the retribution of encountering good friends; therefore it says, "being born together in one place with dhāraṇī bodhisattvas." Second, encouraging someone to listen to the Dharma, the other person receives the teaching for a moment, hears the Dharma, and generates wisdom; later one again obtains the retribution of wisdom; therefore the sūtra says, "sharp faculties and wisdom." Third, by vocal karma encouraging others to listen to the subtle Dharma and generating their correct faith and correct understanding, one escapes facial ugliness and obtains the retribution of being handsome and dignified. Fourth, encouraging others to listen to the sūtra makes one a good friend to them, so that life after life one constantly sees the Buddha, hears the Dharma, and faithfully receives instruction. From "how much more so if with single-mindedness" onward is the fourth person; their merit is the most superior, and the retribution is unspeakable.