無量壽經連義述文贊 1.42

1.42

經曰「嚴護法城開闡法門」者，述云：此第二、弘正也。有說：法能遮防故名城。法有通入趣入義，故名門。非也，法法若一，必有重言過故。今即法城者，即智斷之果。法門者，即定慧之因。果必殺賊故名城，因能納德故云門。嘆善故嚴，止謗故護。為演故開，令進故闡。

The sūtra says: "Sternly guarding the Dharma citadel, opening and clarifying the Dharma gate." The commentary states: This is the second, propagating the orthodox. Some say: The Dharma can ward off and defend, hence it is called a 'citadel'. The Dharma has the sense of pervasive entry and progressing into, hence it is called a 'gate'. This is not correct; if the dharmas were identical, it would necessarily have the fault of redundant phrasing. Now then: the 'Dharma citadel' is the fruition of wisdom and severance; the 'Dharma gate' is the cause of concentration and wisdom. The fruition must slay the thieves, hence it is called a 'citadel'; the cause can receive virtues, hence it is called a 'gate'. Praising good, it is 'stern'; stopping slander, it is 'guarded'. For the sake of expounding, it is 'opened'; to cause them to advance, it is 'clarified'.