大般涅槃經義記 3.64

3.64

上來第一教人撿驗，自下第二明其四依，弘護利益，勸人依止。於中有三：一明四人於正法時弘護利益、二「迦葉白佛如來滅後四十年」下明其四人於像法時弘護利益、三「以是因緣我說四人為世依」下結明四人能為物依。

Above was the first [part], teaching people to examine and verify. From here below is the second, explaining the four refuges, who propagate, protect, and benefit, encouraging people to rely upon them. Therein are three [parts]: first, explaining that the four persons propagate, protect, and benefit during the period of the true Dharma; second, from "Kāśyapa said to the Buddha: 'Forty years after the Tathāgata's parinirvāṇa'" onward, explaining that the four persons propagate, protect, and benefit during the period of the seminal Dharma; third, from "For this reason I say that the four persons are refuges for the world" onward, concluding by explaining that the four persons can serve as refuges for sentient beings.