佛祖統紀 3.8

3.8

Regarding the eight teachings: the Miaole says, "The four teachings of converting methods are the main framework for classifying teachings; the four teachings of converting doctrines are the main outlines for explaining meanings." Thus one knows that "sudden" and the like are classifications, while "tripiṭaka" and the like are explanations. For example, if one classifies the Avataṃsaka as sudden, one then explains it through the separate and perfect teachings. Up to classifying the Lotus Sutra as neither sudden nor gradual, explaining it through the purely perfect teaching. This is our school's standard rule for interpreting the scriptures. The Miaole further says, "If interpreting various sutras, using only the tripiṭaka and the others will allow the text to flow fairly well. But if explaining the Lotus Sutra without the eight [teachings] of sudden and the rest, one will be at a loss in all actions." This means that other sutras merely address the specific assembly's capacities being matched and obtaining benefit, so they do not yet require the sudden and the rest. But if explaining the Lotus Sutra, one must elucidate the [Buddha's] entire lifetime; therefore, one uses the sudden and the rest to encompass the beginning and the end. The Fuxing says, "The four teachings of tripiṭaka and the rest comprehensively embrace all Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna sutras. Cause and effect are clear; each establishes a lord of teaching, and each responds to opportune capacities. Beginning and end are fully provided for, not exceeding these four. The four teachings of sudden and the rest are merely the Tathāgata's inconceivable power arranging the tripiṭaka and the rest—expanding, contracting, harmonising, and maturing the capacities of sentient beings; refuting the perverse and establishing the correct; leading the lesser to return to the greater; setting aside the partial and revealing the perfect; converging the expedient into the real. Hence there is the mutual production of the five flavours in the various divisions, benefiting beings without fixed limit, appearing and disappearing in accordance with the times."