四教義 1.16

1.16

Third, comprehensive citations from sūtras and treatises as proof: establishing the names and meanings of the four teachings here by drawing upon the Mahāyāna sūtras and treatises is like the Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra explaining that "the four are ineffable; yet because of causes and conditions, they can also be spoken of." The four kinds of expounding, using these to transform beings according to their capacities, are precisely the meaning of the four teachings. Furthermore, the Nirvāṇa-sūtra states: "The four kinds of turning the wheel of the four truths," which is precisely the meaning of the four teachings. Furthermore, the Lotus Sūtra explains that "the three herbs and two trees receive the moisture differently," which metaphorically describes the expedient teachings, that is, the three teachings; "grown from the same earth, moistened by the same rain" metaphorically describes the most real truth, that is, the perfect teaching. The Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, having completed its refutation of the various heterodox attachments, further explains the four propositions of causes and conditions, which penetrates the Buddha's four expoundings; this is precisely the meaning of the four teachings. Such four methods of expounding the Dharma transform beings according to their capacities, which is the meaning of the four teachings. The four expoundings are simply alternative names for the four teachings.