法華義疏 8.34

8.34

Regarding 'Whatever he expounds is not false': the second phrase, indicating that what is expounded is not false. Since it surpasses what was praised, it might appear to be an exaggeration; therefore it now clarifies that his words are true. The matters regarding truth are manifold, but can be summarized into three kinds: First, the Tathāgata always expounds the Dharma relying on the two truths, and therefore it is not false. Second, through skillful wisdom he expounds the three based on the one; the purport of expounding the three is to express the one principle, so it is not false regarding the principle; furthermore, it brings real benefit to beings, so it is said to be not false. Third, explaining it in terms of boundlessness: when the Tathāgata speaks truly, it is true; when he speaks untruly [as an expedient], it is also true; when he speaks conventionally, it is conventional; when he speaks paradoxically, it is conventional; because all are able to open the Way and all are able to benefit beings, there is nothing that is not true and nothing that is not fitting. Therefore, the Mahāparinirvāṇa [Sūtra] explains four propositions: speaking of the Way as the Way; speaking of the non-Way as the non-Way; speaking of the Way as the non-Way; and speaking of the non-Way as the Way. If spoken with the mind of the Way, all four propositions are the Way; if spoken with a mind of the non-Way, all four propositions are the non-Way. Therefore, the Viśeṣacintābrahma-paripṛcchā Sūtra says: 'All dharmas are correct, all dharmas are deviant.'