法華義疏 12.170

12.170

諸佛菩薩說法有二：一、顯現；二、祕密。呪即是祕密法。如世人有二種法：一、顯現，謂世俗之常法；二、祕密術，謂禁呪等。今隨世俗亦作此二法。有人言：呪所論不出三義，一、說極果勝德，或因中萬行，故聞者發心。二、說三寶名字，或諸佛菩薩之別名，或大力鬼神之名，召呼此名使魔耶聞者驚退。三、說諸法深理無相，使聞者悟道得無生忍。

There are two kinds of preaching by the Buddhas and bodhisattvas: first, the exoteric; second, the esoteric. Incantations are precisely the esoteric teaching. Just as worldly people have two kinds of arts—first, the exoteric, meaning the common practices of convention; second, secret arts, meaning protective spells and the like—now, in accord with conventional customs, these two teachings are also formulated. Some say that what is discussed in incantations does not exceed three meanings: First, they state the supreme virtues of the ultimate fruit, or the myriad practices in the causal stage, thereby causing those who hear them to produce the mind [of awakening]. Second, they speak the names of the Three Jewels, or the distinctive names of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, or the names of mighty spirits and ghosts, summoning these names so that when demons and Māras hear them, they are startled and retreat. Third, they speak of the deep principle of phenomena, being markless, causing those who hear it to awaken to the path and attain the forbearance of the non-arising of dharmas.