法華義疏 9.236

9.236

次、生後者，凡有四義：一者、上以多寶不滅示滅，顯釋迦方便生滅實無生滅；今復舉調達例顯釋迦，調達非惡示惡，故惡是方便、善為真實，類顯釋迦不生滅示生滅，故生滅是方便、不生滅為真實。故上以他佛顯於釋迦，今引他菩薩顯於釋迦，是以兩品相次來也。二者、為成信義故來，如《涅槃．師子吼品》說「云何為信？信如來畢竟不生滅，信提婆達多終不破僧」，涅槃既兩事相次，今亦然也。故說此品以違順相對，故二品相次也。三者、然流通勸信皆是為始學耳，若深行人無勞勸也。今為接惡人自輕己身不敢學大法，是故今說調達雖是惡人，得聞大乘受記成佛，故應須學之。四者、根緣不同適時而說，以眾中應聞此品得悟、故應機說之。

Next, as for giving rise to what follows, there are four meanings: First, above, through Prabhūtaratna's non-extinction manifesting extinction, it was revealed that Śākyamuni's birth and extinction are an expedient means and he is truly without birth and extinction; now Devadatta is again cited to analogously reveal Śākyamuni: Devadatta is not evil yet manifests evil, so evil is the expedient means and good is the real, which by analogy reveals that Śākyamuni is unborn and unextinguished yet manifests birth and extinction, so birth and extinction are the expedient means and non-birth and non-extinction are the real. Thus, above, another buddha was used to reveal Śākyamuni, and now another bodhisattva is cited to reveal Śākyamuni; hence the two chapters follow one upon the other. Second, it comes to establish the meaning of faith. As expounded in the "Lion's Roar Chapter" of the Nirvāṇa Sūtra: "What is faith? It is to believe that the Tathāgata is ultimately without birth and extinction, and to believe that Devadatta never broke the saṃgha." Since in the Nirvāṇa Sūtra these two matters follow each other, the same is true here. Therefore this chapter is expounded to contrast the adverse and compliant, and so the two chapters follow one upon the other. Third, circulation and encouraging faith are all for beginners; for those of deep practice there is no need of encouragement. Now, to receive and guide evil persons who belittle themselves and dare not study the great Dharma, it is therefore now expounded that although Devadatta was an evil person, upon hearing the Mahāyāna he received prophecy and will attain buddhahood; therefore one ought to study it. Fourth, because faculties and conditions differ, the teaching is spoken to suit the time; since those in the assembly ought to attain awakening by hearing this chapter, it was spoken in response to their capacity.