法華義疏 5.3

5.3

所以有此品來者，斯經文雖七軸，宗歸平等大慧。但入此大慧有種種門，或從法說門入，或從譬說門入，或從亦法亦譬門入，若因此三門悟入大慧，則三種是門；若因此三門不得悟入則三種非門。故《涅槃經》云「或有服甘露，壽命得長存，或有服甘露，傷命而早夭，無礙智甘露，所謂大乘典，如是大乘典，亦名雜毒藥」。但上根之人聞法說已解，無待譬喻，故涅槃經云「乃為利根人說大乘九部經略於譬喻」，即其事也。中根之徒未能忘言領法，故聞法說不解，而能虛心待譬，故為說譬喻。又隨風俗演教不同，震旦言多約法，天竺語多引譬類。昔張騫尋河源至大月氏國，見天竺使來而問之曰：彼土風俗其事云何？使答曰：彼國鬪則乘象，言多引譬類。佛出天竺，隨彼風俗，故立譬喻也。

The reason why this chapter comes next is that although the text of this sūtra has seven scrolls, its principle returns to the equal great wisdom. However, in entering this great wisdom there are various gates: some enter through the gate of preaching through Dharma, some enter through the gate of preaching through parables, and some enter through the gate of preaching through both Dharma and parables. If one awakens to and enters great wisdom because of these three gates, then all three kinds are gates; if one fails to awaken to and enter it because of these three gates, then all three kinds are not gates. Hence the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: "Some take amṛta and their life span is prolonged; some take amṛta and their lives are harmed, dying prematurely. The amṛta of unimpeded wisdom is the so-called Mahāyāna scriptures; such Mahāyāna scriptures are also named mixed poison." However, persons of superior faculties, having heard the preaching through Dharma, have already understood and do not depend on parables. Hence the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says, "It was only for persons of sharp faculties that he preached the nine classes of scriptures of the Mahāyāna, omitting parables"—this is precisely that matter. Those of medium faculties are not yet able to forget words and grasp the Dharma; hence, hearing the preaching through Dharma, they did not understand, but they can wait with an open mind for parables; therefore he preaches parables for them. Furthermore, the exposition of teachings varies according to customs: the words of China mostly rely on Dharma, whereas the language of India mostly adduces analogies and parables. In the past, Zhang Qian sought the source of the Yellow River and reached the country of the Da Yuezhi; seeing an Indian envoy arrive, he questioned him, saying: "What are the customs and affairs in that land like?" The envoy replied, saying: "In that country, when fighting they ride elephants, and in speech they mostly adduce analogies and parables." The Buddha appeared in India and conformed to their customs; therefore, he established parables.