四明尊者教行錄 3.78

3.78

答：若釋《法華》前經，蓋明部教兼帶等別、機緣大小之殊。若釋《法華》，意在開偏咸令會實。又復應以藏通等四入頓漸等四，揀前四味我聞不同，顯出《法華》我聞亦異，則所聞法體超過八教。故妙樂云：若消諸經，但用藏等，其文稍通。若釋《法華》，無頓等八，舉止失措。問：《法華》既爾，《涅槃》云何？答：妙樂釋我聞云：《大經》顯圓，今乃義開耳。故知二經不無少異。

Answer: If one is interpreting sūtras prior to the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka, it is to clarify the distinctions in the combination and inclusion of collections and teachings, and the differences between great and small capacities. If one is interpreting the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka, the intention lies in opening the biased and causing all to integrate into the real. Furthermore, one should enter the four [teachings] of the sudden, gradual, etc., with the four of the Tripiṭaka, shared, etc., distinguishing how the 'Thus have I heard' of the preceding four flavors differs, and revealing that the 'Thus have I heard' of the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka is also distinct; then the Dharma-substance heard surpasses the eight teachings. Therefore, Miaole says: 'If one is expounding the various sūtras, merely using the Tripiṭaka and the others will make the text somewhat coherent. But if one is interpreting the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka, without the eight—including the sudden and the rest—one's conduct will fall into confusion.' Question: If the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka is like this, what about the Nirvāṇa? Answer: Miaole, interpreting 'Thus have I heard,' says: 'The Great Sūtra reveals the perfect; here it is opened doctrinally.' Thus one knows that the two sūtras are not without minor differences.