法華義疏 3.210

3.210

《法華論》明有三種義：一者、欲令大眾推覓甚深佛境界故。二者、欲大眾生尊重心畢竟欲聞故。三者、欲令增上慢人離席而去故也。然始終為論，有三止、三請。言三止者：第一、歎法深妙，通明九道眾生不解，唯佛能解故止。九道者，六道及三乘人也。第二、明凡夫人天驚疑故止。第三、明增上慢二乘人誹謗故止。此謂人天乘及聲聞、緣覺四種眾生，聞說一乘不能信受。所以然者，人天起愛、二乘起見，愛見障隔正觀，故不信一乘。又人天著生死樂、二乘著涅槃樂，皆是保於小樂、不堪受佛樂，故須止也。又人天滯有、二乘著空，二見在心不堪受中道法，是故止也。

The Fahua lun explains that there are three meanings [to this]: first, because [the Buddha] wishes to cause the great assembly to search into the extremely profound realm of the Buddha; second, because he wishes the great assembly to give rise to a reverent mind and ultimately desire to hear [it]; third, because he wishes to cause those of overweening pride to leave their seats and depart. However, considering the discourse from beginning to end, there are three refusals and three requests. Regarding the three refusals: first, praising the Dharma as profound and subtle, comprehensively explaining that sentient beings of the nine paths cannot understand it, and only the Buddha can understand it, hence he refuses; the nine paths are the six paths and the people of the triyāna. Second, explaining that ordinary humans and devas would be alarmed and doubtful, hence he refuses. Third, explaining that those of the two vehicles who possess overweening pride would slander [it], hence he refuses. This means that the four kinds of sentient beings—those of the human-and-deva yāna, śrāvakas, and pratyekabuddhas—cannot faithfully accept hearing the ekayāna expounded. Why is this? Humans and devas give rise to craving, while those of the two vehicles give rise to views; craving and views obstruct and separate them from correct contemplation, so they do not believe in the ekayāna. Furthermore, humans and devas are attached to the bliss of saṃsāra, while those of the two vehicles are attached to the bliss of nirvāṇa; both cling to lesser bliss and cannot receive the bliss of the Buddha, so he must refuse. Furthermore, humans and devas are stagnant in existence, while those of the two vehicles are attached to emptiness; with these two views in their minds, they cannot receive the Dharma of the Middle Way, and for this reason he refuses.