大般涅槃經義記 3.104

3.104

「正法滅」下別以會之。於中初法，次喻，後合。法中有四：一明未來邪興正滅為弘護時、二「是四人」下明其四人和光護法、三「如是四人為護法」下彰其四人是持非犯、四明其人合可供養。四中，前三文義俱有，後之一段義有文無，文雖不說，准下喻合理必須有。

From 'When the true Dharma is destroyed' downward, he reconciles them individually. Within this, there is first the doctrine, next a simile, and then the application. In the doctrine there are four parts: first, explaining that the future time when the heterodox flourishes and the true is destroyed is the time for propagation and protection; second, from 'These four persons' downward, explaining that the four persons blend their light to protect the Dharma; third, from 'Such four persons, in order to protect the Dharma' downward, showing that the four persons uphold precepts and do not violate them; fourth, explaining that these persons properly receive offerings. Among the four, the first three possess both text and meaning, while the last section has the meaning but lacks the text; although the text does not state it, according to the simile and principle below, it must necessarily be present.