大般涅槃經義記 3.187

3.187

下明邪正，答上問中「云何知魔為眾留難，佛說、魔說云何別知」。何故辯此？釋有三義：一為明四人摧邪通正，能為物依；二為明眾生須依所以，故經說言應依四人，有四魔故；三欲令人識邪不從，離所不依。文中有三：一因迦葉請略舉四魔、二因迦葉請廣辨四魔、三因迦葉領解如來述讚。

Next, it clarifies the deviant and the correct, answering the question above: "How does one know that Māra creates obstructions for the assembly, and how does one distinguish between what the Buddha taught and what Māra taught?" Why is this analyzed? There are three meanings in explanation: first, to clarify that the four persons demolish the deviant and illuminate the correct, being able to serve as reliances for beings; second, to clarify the reason beings must have a reliance—the sūtra therefore says that one should rely on the four persons because there are four māras; third, to cause people to recognize the deviant and not follow it, keeping distant from what should not be relied upon. In the text there are three [parts]: first, briefly adducing the four māras at Kāśyapa's request; second, extensively distinguishing the four māras at Kāśyapa's request; third, the Tathāgata praising Kāśyapa upon his expression of understanding.