法華論疏 1.307

1.307

Question: "The profound intention of names, phrases, and sentences" directly explains which part of the sūtra text? Answer: It explains the sūtra passage: "wishing to cause sentient beings to all hear and know the Dharma that is difficult to believe in all the world." Causing the three vehicles to become buddhas is precisely the matter that is difficult to believe. The five thousand rising and leaving is the matter that is difficult to understand. Question: Why does it say "the profound intention of names, phrases, and sentences"? Answer: The teaching is meant to reveal the principle that is expressed. When words are cut off, the words expressing the principle are also cut off; hence it says below: "This Dharma cannot be shown; / The characteristics of language are tranquil and extinct."