四教義 1.18

1.18

Fifth, explaining the varying amounts of the four teachings used in the sūtras and treatises. If it is the sudden teaching of the Avataṃsaka, it uses the two teachings: the distinctive and the perfect. If it is the beginning of the gradual teaching, the Hīnayāna sūtras use only the Tripiṭaka teaching. If it is the Mahāyāna Vaipulya, then it possesses all four teachings. If it is the Mahāprajñā, it uses the three teachings: the shared, the distinctive, and the perfect. The Lotus Sūtra uses only the perfect teaching. The Mahāparinirvāṇa is named the dharmadhātu of all Buddhas, where all four teachings enter the Buddha-nature and nirvāṇa. The various amounts of teachings used across the treatises according to the sūtras can be understood along similar lines. Question: The four teachings pervade all the sūtras; why then are they extensively discriminated specifically in front of the text of this sūtra? Answer: It is not necessarily the case that all gradual and sudden sūtras explain the four teachings; it is only the Vaipulya, the Mahāsaṃnipāta, and this canonical text that fully possess passages on the four teachings; therefore, based on the meaning of this sūtra, we briefly explain the meaning of the four teachings. However, one constantly laments that propagators of the sūtras in the degenerate age gather the meanings of numerous sūtras to explain a single treatise, thereby causing later generations all to say that 'treatises are rich and sūtras are poor,' disparaging sūtras and esteeming treatises. Now, in gathering numerous sūtras and treatises to establish the meaning of the four teachings in order to penetrate the various Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna sūtras, my intention is that future worthy ones will revere the Buddha's words and discard the branches and tips. If one can focus one's mind on the Mahāyāna Vaipulya, listening to, preaching, receiving, upholding, reading, reciting, copying, and practicing it in accordance with what is taught, not only will the effort not be in vain, but one will also be able to tally with the essentials of principle.