法華論疏 1.248

1.248

以文句即是教，教是理因，故稱為因。又因欲說法華經，故現大瑞相。即法華經故現大瑞相，則法華為瑞相因也。詳前後文具有三因：一法華教為理因、二法華為瑞相因、三因見瑞相故知說法華，故瑞相為法華因也。

Because the phrases are the teaching, and the teaching is the cause of the principle, it is called a "cause." Furthermore, because he wishes to expound the Lotus Sūtra, he manifests the great auspicious sign. Since he manifests the great auspicious sign for the sake of the Lotus Sūtra, the Lotus [Sūtra] is the cause of the auspicious sign. Examining the preceding and subsequent texts, there are altogether three causes: first, the Lotus teaching is the cause of the principle; second, the Lotus [Sūtra] is the cause of the auspicious sign; third, because of seeing the auspicious sign they know he will expound the Lotus [Sūtra], so the auspicious sign is the cause of the Lotus [Sūtra].