法華義疏 2.172

2.172

From 'Through various causes and conditions' downward is the third part: clarifying the intent of preaching the teaching. The first half introduces the Buddha's preaching of the teaching, which has two aspects: first, the doctrine; second, parables. The second half clarifies the Buddha's intent in preaching the teaching, which also has two kinds: first, upwardly propagating; second, downwardly benefiting. Stated from the Buddha's perspective, the teaching can illuminate the principle like a lamp giving light; the principle is what is expressed and is called the Buddha-dharma. Awakening sentient beings refers to downwardly benefiting. All sentient beings possess buddha-nature; having ignorance as doors and deviant doubts as bolts, they do not awaken to buddha-nature. The buddhas break the bolts of deviant doubt and open the doors of ignorance, enabling them to see buddha-nature; hence it is called 'awakening'.