妙法蓮華經玄贊 4.180

4.180

贊曰：下六頌半明造像，中有二：初五頌造，後一頌半結。初中分四：一頌刻彫，二頌十物嚴飾，一頌綵畫，一頌戲作。此初也。明作佛像非作餘像，故言為佛；為求作佛、為思敬佛，故名為佛。又說為佛而作諸像，為莊嚴佛故名為佛。《造像功德經》說：「造像得十一種果：一世世所生眼目淨潔面目端正，二生處無惡，三常生貴家，四身體姝好紫磨金色，五常豐珍翫，六生賢善家，七後生為王王中最勝，八金輪化王，九後生梵天壽命一劫，十不隨惡道，十一後生之中還重三寶、喜持妙物復造功德」，一之梵福多四天下大海十倍。

The Eulogy says: The following six and a half verses explain making images, within which are two parts: the first five verses on making [them], and the latter one and a half verses concluding. The first part is divided into four: one verse on carving, two verses on adorning with ten materials, one verse on color painting, and one verse on making them in play. This is the first. It clarifies that they make images of the Buddha, not other images, hence it says "for the sake of the Buddha"; seeking to become a buddha and desiring to revere the Buddha, it is therefore called "for the sake of the Buddha." It also says making various images for the Buddha, adorning the Buddha, hence it is called "for the sake of the Buddha." The Sūtra on the Merit of Making Images says: 'Making images attains eleven kinds of fruits: 1. in every lifetime born, the eyes are pure and clear, and the countenance is upright; 2. the place of birth has no evil; 3. always born into a noble family; 4. the body is handsome and of refined purple-gold color; 5. always abundant in rare valuables; 6. born into a virtuous and good family; 7. later born as a king, the most supreme among kings; 8. a gold-wheel-turning king; 9. later born in the Brahmā heaven with a lifespan of one kalpa; 10. not falling into the evil destinies; 11. in future rebirths, continuing to revere the Three Jewels, taking pleasure in holding exquisite objects, and again making meritorious deeds.' A single brahma-blessing is ten times greater than the great oceans of the four continents.