四明尊者教行錄 4.34

4.34

八問：〈隨喜品〉第五，十人展轉聞《法華經》，一念隨喜，所得功德無量無邊。疏判為初〈隨喜品〉合有五十功德。又〈勸發品〉云：成就四法能得是經。疏云：舊說能行四法手得是經。今謂不爾。上文謂諸法實相義，已為汝等說。又云為令眾生開示悟入佛之知見。蓋《法華》之正體能行四法必得此解。疑者云：《大般若經》說：善根未熟、薄福德故，尚不聞名字，況得手執。若手得者，速坐菩提座。又云：一經其耳，善根力故，定得無上菩提。即知雖不具五十功德、不解實相，但聞名字手執經卷者，皆是功德無量，誠不可偏取於此也。

Eighth question: Fascicle five, the 'Chapter on Joyful Praise' states that when ten people transmit hearing the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra from one to another, the merit obtained from a single thought-moment of joyful praise is boundless and limitless. The Commentary determines that the initial 'Chapter on Joyful Praise' encompasses fifty merits altogether. Furthermore, the 'Chapter on Encouragement [of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra]' states: 'By accomplishing four dharmas, one can attain this sūtra.' The Commentary states: 'The older interpretation said that by being able to practice the four dharmas, one attains this sūtra in hand. We now say this is not so. The preceding text stated that the meaning of the true nature of all dharmas has already been explained for you. It also said: "In order to cause sentient beings to open, display, awaken to, and enter the vision and knowledge of the buddha." Since this is the fundamental essence of the Lotus Sūtra, one who can practice the four dharmas must attain this understanding.' A doubter says: 'The Great Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra states: "Because their roots of goodness are not yet ripe and their merit is slight, they do not even hear its name, let alone hold it in hand. If one attains it in hand, one will swiftly sit on the bodhimaṇḍa." It also states: "Once it passes through their ears, due to the power of their roots of goodness, they are certain to attain unsurpassed bodhi." From this one knows that although they do not possess the fifty merits and do not understand the true nature, merely hearing its name or holding the sūtra scroll in hand are all of immeasurable merit; one truly must not take an exclusive view here.'